By John Morris
Montreal, July 12, 2005 - - Pirelli Tire has added Toyota Canada and Mazda Canada to its list of National Accounts so that dealerships of those brands can now make Pirelli products available to their customers.
Mazda and Toyota are the latest additions joining Pirelli's existing corporate partners including BMW, Ford, GM, Mercedes, Subaru and Volkswagen. All dealerships have access to the complete line of Pirelli passenger and light truck products.
To insure service excellence, all tires are made available to the auto dealerships via existing local Pirelli Tire distributors. This approach encourages the strengthening of existing relationships between Pirelli dealers and local auto dealers as well as providing experienced support to the vehicle owners.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
SPIEKER, KOSISKI WAGE FIERCE BATTLE FOR LEAD IN DIVISION II OF NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES
Courtesy Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 12, 2005) – Chris Spieker and Joe Kosiski continue to wage a fierce battle for this year’s title in Division II of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.
The two Midwestern Dirt Late Model drivers stage their competition each week at Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa, and I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Neb. NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Divisional point standings are calculated using each driver’s best results from any races held at tracks within their division. Adams County Speedway, which operates on Saturday, and I-80 Speedway, which runs on Sundays, are both in Division II – meaning drivers can race at both tracks and accumulate points towards the title.
Spieker, of Massena, Iowa, leads the NDWS Division II standings with 998 points. He made a late race pass for the lead to score his third win of the season at Adams County Speedway on Saturday – then came home from I-80 with a 20th-place finish on Sunday.
Kosiski, who calls I-80 home, is 150 markers back with 848 points. The Omaha, Neb., driver finished fifth at I-80 on Sunday, after notching a sixth-place finish at Adams County on Saturday.
Mike Hansen of Alton, Iowa, remained third in the NDWS Division II standings this week with 716 points. He finished fifth at Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., on Saturday.
Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., is 18 points back with 698. Strunk scored his third win of the season, with a victory at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. Also visiting victory lane over the weekend was Eric Richardson of Bakersfield, Calif. Richardson – who is fifth in the standings with 678 points – collected his fourth win of the season, along with a fifth-place finish, in twin late model races at Mesa Marin Raceway on Saturday.
Rounding out the top 10 of the NDWS Division II standings are Travis Sharpe of North, S.C.; Pete Anderson Jr. of Stockton, Calif.; Stacey Gerken of LaGrange, Ohio; Robert Barker of Boerne, Texas; and Jonathan Bouvrette of St. Therese, QC.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 12, 2005) – Chris Spieker and Joe Kosiski continue to wage a fierce battle for this year’s title in Division II of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.
The two Midwestern Dirt Late Model drivers stage their competition each week at Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa, and I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Neb. NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Divisional point standings are calculated using each driver’s best results from any races held at tracks within their division. Adams County Speedway, which operates on Saturday, and I-80 Speedway, which runs on Sundays, are both in Division II – meaning drivers can race at both tracks and accumulate points towards the title.
Spieker, of Massena, Iowa, leads the NDWS Division II standings with 998 points. He made a late race pass for the lead to score his third win of the season at Adams County Speedway on Saturday – then came home from I-80 with a 20th-place finish on Sunday.
Kosiski, who calls I-80 home, is 150 markers back with 848 points. The Omaha, Neb., driver finished fifth at I-80 on Sunday, after notching a sixth-place finish at Adams County on Saturday.
Mike Hansen of Alton, Iowa, remained third in the NDWS Division II standings this week with 716 points. He finished fifth at Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., on Saturday.
Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., is 18 points back with 698. Strunk scored his third win of the season, with a victory at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. Also visiting victory lane over the weekend was Eric Richardson of Bakersfield, Calif. Richardson – who is fifth in the standings with 678 points – collected his fourth win of the season, along with a fifth-place finish, in twin late model races at Mesa Marin Raceway on Saturday.
Rounding out the top 10 of the NDWS Division II standings are Travis Sharpe of North, S.C.; Pete Anderson Jr. of Stockton, Calif.; Stacey Gerken of LaGrange, Ohio; Robert Barker of Boerne, Texas; and Jonathan Bouvrette of St. Therese, QC.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Renault UK: McIntosh raring to return at Croft
By Stuart Morrison Public Relations
Vancouver, Canada (July 12, 2005) Canada’s Sean McIntosh resumes his 2005 title challenge this weekend, 16th-17th July, as the Formula Renault UK Championship heads to Darlington, North Yorkshire for Rounds 9 and 10. The double-header, hosted on the 2.25-mile Croft circuit, marks the half-way stage of the 20-race calendar with Sean looking to carry the momentum of his podium finish at Oulton Park last time out into Sunday’s races and into the second half of season.
The 20-year-old Vancouver native, currently the only young Canadian competing in open-wheel racing in Europe, has proved to be a model of consistency in qualifying this year and McIntosh is looking to continue his season-long streak of top-five starts when he returns to action at the weekend.
In addition to his impressive qualifying form, consistent finishes have allowed the Team Firstair racer and reigning “Graduate Cup”™ Champion to battle for title honors. Sean currently sits third overall in the title chase just five points from second place and with dropped scores still to come into play, the Donington Park winner remains firmly in the hunt for the championship.
Having taken advantage of another generous gap in the race schedule to jet back to Canada, where he celebrated Canada Day on the 1st of July, Sean returned to England at the start of the week to prepare for this weekend’s event.
Looking ahead he commented:
”I’m quite excited to be getting back into the swing of things at Croft. It was great to head into the break with our top-five qualifying run intact and a podium finish at Oulton. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off and get back up and challenge for more wins.”
”We’re testing on Thursday and there are a few things we’re looking to try out. If all goes to plan we’ll hopefully be looking good for Saturday and Sunday. Croft certainly isn’t a glamorous circuit; it’s probably one of the most technical tracks on the schedule. There’s a good blend of high and low speed turns, it’s not easy to drive by any means but I’ll be giving it my all as usual!”
The Formula Renault UK Championship accompanies the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship using a double-header format over ten race weekends across Britain’s major race venues. Live timing from this weekend’s races, 16th-17th July, can be found online at: www.msttiming.com.
Vancouver, Canada (July 12, 2005) Canada’s Sean McIntosh resumes his 2005 title challenge this weekend, 16th-17th July, as the Formula Renault UK Championship heads to Darlington, North Yorkshire for Rounds 9 and 10. The double-header, hosted on the 2.25-mile Croft circuit, marks the half-way stage of the 20-race calendar with Sean looking to carry the momentum of his podium finish at Oulton Park last time out into Sunday’s races and into the second half of season.
The 20-year-old Vancouver native, currently the only young Canadian competing in open-wheel racing in Europe, has proved to be a model of consistency in qualifying this year and McIntosh is looking to continue his season-long streak of top-five starts when he returns to action at the weekend.
In addition to his impressive qualifying form, consistent finishes have allowed the Team Firstair racer and reigning “Graduate Cup”™ Champion to battle for title honors. Sean currently sits third overall in the title chase just five points from second place and with dropped scores still to come into play, the Donington Park winner remains firmly in the hunt for the championship.
Having taken advantage of another generous gap in the race schedule to jet back to Canada, where he celebrated Canada Day on the 1st of July, Sean returned to England at the start of the week to prepare for this weekend’s event.
Looking ahead he commented:
”I’m quite excited to be getting back into the swing of things at Croft. It was great to head into the break with our top-five qualifying run intact and a podium finish at Oulton. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off and get back up and challenge for more wins.”
”We’re testing on Thursday and there are a few things we’re looking to try out. If all goes to plan we’ll hopefully be looking good for Saturday and Sunday. Croft certainly isn’t a glamorous circuit; it’s probably one of the most technical tracks on the schedule. There’s a good blend of high and low speed turns, it’s not easy to drive by any means but I’ll be giving it my all as usual!”
The Formula Renault UK Championship accompanies the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship using a double-header format over ten race weekends across Britain’s major race venues. Live timing from this weekend’s races, 16th-17th July, can be found online at: www.msttiming.com.
Cameron Motorsports dominates at Hamilton Vincec wins two, Wickens wins one to lead team
By Russ Bond Agency (www.russbondagency.com)
HAMILTON, ONTARIO - Cameron Motorsports hosted round four of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels at their Hamilton facility this past weekend, and the whole team knew it was a big weekend for the team.
Mike Vincec led the charge on Saturday, with wins in Rotax Max Jr and the coveted Formula Junior race. In fact, CMS drivers swept the podium in Formula Junior with Maxime Pelletier finishing second and Kyle Marcelli finishing third. On Sunday, Frank Launi was drafted in as a teammate to Robert Wickens in Formula Senior, and Launi and Wickens rounded out the Formula Senior podium in second and third. Wickens probably had the best race of his career in Rotax Max Sr, coming from 8 seconds back to overhaul the leader on the last lap for the win.
"I knew he was way out there, but I just put my head down and pushed every lap," Wickens said. It was the end to a troubled weekend for Wickens in Rotax. "Before the second qualifying session, we never completed a lap. I was my own mechanic for Rotax. Thanks have to go to Tim Sinclair, who stepped in to help me...this win was for him."
CMS driver Marco Di Leo rounded out the Rotax Max podium. The Cameron Motorsports Team was also awarded the coveted Pratt & Miller team spirit award for their weekend's efforts.
"This was a great weekend for the whole team," said Bob Cameron. "We really wanted to put on a first class event here at our home track, and we did that. Also our team drivers stepped up to the plate to deliver the results we needed."
Cameron Motorsports dominates at Hamilton Vincec wins two, Wickens wins one to lead team
By Russ Bond Agency (www.russbondagency.com)
HAMILTON, ONTARIO - Cameron Motorsports hosted round four of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels at their Hamilton facility this past weekend, and the whole team knew it was a big weekend for the team.Mike Vincec led the charge on Saturday, with wins in Rotax Max Jr and the coveted Formula Junior race. In fact, CMS drivers swept the podium in Formula Junior with Maxime Pelletier finishing second and Kyle Marcelli finishing third.
On Sunday, Frank Launi was drafted in as a teammate to Robert Wickens in Formula Senior, and Launi and Wickens rounded out the Formula Senior podium in second and third. Wickens probably had the best race of his career in Rotax Max Sr, coming from 8 seconds back to overhaul the leader on the last lap for the win.
"I knew he was way out there, but I just put my head down and pushed every lap," Wickens said. It was the end to a troubled weekend for Wickens in Rotax. "Before the second qualifying session, we never completed a lap. I was my own mechanic for Rotax. Thanks have to go to Tim Sinclair, who stepped in to help me...this win was for him."
CMS driver Marco Di Leo rounded out the Rotax Max podium.
The Cameron Motorsports Team was also awarded the coveted Pratt & Miller team spirit award for their weekend's efforts. "This was a great weekend for the whole team," said Bob Cameron. "We really wanted to put on a first class event here at our home track, and we did that. Also our team drivers stepped up to the plate to deliver the results we needed."
SOS: Tim Phillips health update: Phillips recovering after surgery
From SOS Insider,
Southern Ontario Sprint racer Tim Phillips is recovering in a Michigan hospital after successfully having surgery to remove the prostate cancer that he was diagnosed with earlier this year.
In speaking with his wife Pam, everything went very well and the doctors say the surgery was a success and Tim will be starting his road to recovery as soon as possible.
In discussions with Tim before the surgery, he stated that if everything goes well he will definitely be back in his sprinter in 2006 and has some special plans for the team when he returns. As many may or may not know, Tim purchased a brand new 2004 J&J Auto Racing chassis from 410 sprint racer Craig Keel and was ready to start the 2005 season before getting the mind blowing news that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and never got to turn a lap in the new mount.
Tim and Pam would like to thank everybody that has called and that they have talked to for keeping them in their prayers and the well wishes that have received for Tim's healthy recovery.
We will keep everybody updated on Tim's recovery.
Chris Rhynold // Tim Phillips Racing
Southern Ontario Sprint racer Tim Phillips is recovering in a Michigan hospital after successfully having surgery to remove the prostate cancer that he was diagnosed with earlier this year.
In speaking with his wife Pam, everything went very well and the doctors say the surgery was a success and Tim will be starting his road to recovery as soon as possible.
In discussions with Tim before the surgery, he stated that if everything goes well he will definitely be back in his sprinter in 2006 and has some special plans for the team when he returns. As many may or may not know, Tim purchased a brand new 2004 J&J Auto Racing chassis from 410 sprint racer Craig Keel and was ready to start the 2005 season before getting the mind blowing news that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and never got to turn a lap in the new mount.
Tim and Pam would like to thank everybody that has called and that they have talked to for keeping them in their prayers and the well wishes that have received for Tim's healthy recovery.
We will keep everybody updated on Tim's recovery.
Chris Rhynold // Tim Phillips Racing
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
‘Drive for Five’ Continues - Third-Place at Molson Indy for Don Thomson Jr.
By Maudsley Motorsports
(Toronto, Ontario) – Don Thomson Jr., and his Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo entered round five of the 2005 CASCAR Super Series as the point leader last weekend. The Atto 100 feature was part of the Toronto Molson Indy festival, and Thomson brought a 34-point cushion over Mark Dilley into the event.
The weekend commenced with practice on Friday afternoon and the # 4 machine tripped the timing lights with a fast lap of one minute, 20.779 seconds. The lap was quick, but .045 seconds behind D.J. Kennington for the fastest time of the session. “Our car was good off the trailer, and we won with this car last time out, so I think we’re going to be fine with the package we have.”
The next time on the track for the CASCAR Late Models would be Saturday afternoon for qualifying, and Thomson was able to turn a lap of one minute, 19.467, good enough for third-fastest, less than four-tenths of a second behind Kennington’s pole-sitting run and the remarkable lap turned in by Thomson’s teammate J.R. Fitzpatrick.
“I’m pretty proud of the kid [Fitzpatrick]. He turned in a good lap. On the other hand, we got caught up in traffic on every decent lap. It’s just tough to get a good lap in with that many cars spread out all over the course, but we still have a decent starting spot and still gained some points.”
Sunday’s 36-lap feature saw perfect skies, and Thomson chased Kennington and Fitzpatrick down into turn one. Thomson was able to keep J.R. on the highside through turn one and moved into second as the field thundered down Lakeshore Boulevard for the first time. Thomson positioned himself a few car lengths behind Kennington and started to look for weaknesses in D.J.’s game.
On a lap seven restart, Thomson was handed the top position as Kennington rolled to pit road with a flat tire. Thomson would take off with road racing ace Jeff Lapcevich in hot pursuit, and managed to open up a few car lengths. Lapcevich would experience tire troubles and was forced to pit lane a few laps later, allowing Thomson to open up a huge gap over the field, but right at the halfway point the handling of the Home Hardware Chevrolet changed dramatically, as the car struggled to gain forward bite off the turns. Thomson was forced to slow the pace and Kerry Micks, who had moved from 11th-starting position to second, started to reel him in.
Micks continued to chop into the lead, and by lap 29 had moved to Thomson’s flank. On the next lap, Micks took the lead and never looked back. Meanwhile, Thomson was still racing hard to the finish, but was overtaken by Peter Gibbons for second with just a couple laps left, shuffling the # 4 to a bronze medal finish.
“It was another great weekend for the Home Hardware Team,” explained Thomson. “We had a pretty good car at Mosport, and I knew that we would be strong in the feature. I was just biding my time behind D.J. when he pulled off, and was able to sneak away from Jeff before he had troubles. Then, all of a sudden my car went away. We won’t know until we get it back to the shop, but we may have a tire going down, or a bad shock, because it wasn’t gradual. We’re still very pleased with the race. We got some points in qualifying, led the most laps, and finished on the podium again.”
SPRINT CAR KICKOFF TOMORROW
By Bryce J. McEwen – Communications Director, Victory Lane Speedway
WINNIPEG (MB): Victory Lane Speedway will be holding a kick-off press conference for the inaugural Napa Auto Parts Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge tomorrow, in the parking lot of the Napa Store at 1717 Pembina at 3 pm.
“We are all incredibly excited and looking forward to Thursday,” says Guy Budel, Director of Race Operations. “These guys are going to hit speeds in excess of 120 mph!”
Thursday, July 14th marks the return of the mud slinging, 800 horsepower, winged sprint cars to Victory Lane Speedway and the excitement starts on Tuesday at the press conference. On hand will be several local sprint car drivers and their sprint cars. This is just the start of what will grow into an annual event at the speedway.
“Sprint car fans in Winnipeg have been waiting for an event like this,” says Budel. “We’ve even got a local sprint car fan, Greg Cybulski, helping out with the purse. He is offering up $250 dollars of his own money if a 360 sprint car can beat the bigger 410 sprint cars. Greg is just one of the many die-hard race fans we have in Winnipeg.”
The Inaugural Napa Auto Parts Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge will see the best sprint cars from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, North Dakota, and Minnesota take to the 4/10ths mile oval. As an added bonus, the first 1000 people who buy their tickets at TICKETMASTER will save $5 dollars, so get your tickets early and save.
Sprint cars are the fastest cars on dirt. Some of the biggest stars in NASCAR got their start racing sprint cars, including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, and Kasey Kahne, just to name a few.
Victory Lane Speedway is Central Canada's largest high bank dirt oval facility, averaging between 80 and 100 competitors every race, with 70,000 people coming through the gates every season. VLS is fully licensed with full-service concessions. The inaugural Napa Auto Parts Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge on Thursday, July 14th, at 7:30.
Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster or get them at the gate; Adults $ 25 ($20 early bird), Students/Seniors $ 22, as always, KIDS UNDER 12 FREE!
Molson Indy win streak ends for Team Fastline in Toronto
"In a race like Molson Indy everything needs to go perfect and our luck ran out."
By Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
July 11, 2005, Toronto, ON - Team Fastline drivers Jeff and Jim Lapcevich encountered problems yesterday at the 20th Anniversary running of the Molson Indy, finishing 15th and 29th respectably in the Tim Hortons - EMCEA Transport Chevrolet Monte Carlos in Sunday's CASCAR Super Series ATTO 100 at the Molson Indy 11-turn, 2.824 km street circuit in Toronto.
"It was just not our weekend and wasn't meant to be I guess," stated Jeff Lapcevich. "After Jimmy dropped out we were running strong until we had a tire go down. In a race like Molson Indy everything needs to go perfect and our luck ran out."
Jeff Lapcevich was able to win the Goodyear Belts & Hoses Fastest Lap of the race at Molson Indy.
Kerry Micks won the ATTO 100 followed by Peter Gibbons in second and Don Thomson Jr. in third as the CASCAR Super Series made its seventh consecutive appearance, part of the 20th Anniversary edition of the Molson Indy on the temporary road circuit at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
"Jeff and I were running second and third at one point and it looked like it would be our day until we encountered a transmission problem," said Jim Lapcevich. "It was a disappointing finish in front of our home-town fans, but that's the way it goes. We'll be back stronger than ever next year."
Team Fastline drivers Jeff and Jim Lapcevich currently sit sixth and 13th in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
The next CASCAR Super Series race of the season, the MOPAR 500 Weekend at Race City Motorsport Park, Canada's finest high banked, half-mile oval, will take place July 22-23 in Calgary, Alberta.
For information about the MOPAR 500 Weekend call 403.272-RACE (7223) or visit www.racecity.com.
Tara MacLeod's Central Merchant Services entry finishes 24th at Molson Indy
"We did manage to accomplish one of our goals."By Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
July 10, 2005, Toronto, ON - Tara MacLeod driving the Central Merchant Services entry finished in 24th position while competing in her very first closed street course race in the ATTO 100 at the Molson Indy CASCAR Super Series 11-turn, 2.824-km street circuit in Toronto Sunday.
"The Toronto Molson Indy was interesting, I will say that. I'm happy to complete the road courses for the season and get back to oval racing with the Central Merchant Services car" explained Tara MacLeod. "I plan to get some training on road course racing this winter, that should really help our program for next year."
Kerry Micks won the ATTO 100 followed by Peter Gibbons in second and Don Thomson Jr. in third as the CASCAR Super Series made its seventh consecutive appearance, part of the 20th Anniversary edition of the Molson Indy on the temporary road circuit at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
"We had two goals going into the Molson Indy, one was to finish in the top twenty and two was to leave Toronto for the western swing leading the Rookie standings," added MacLeod. "We did manage to accomplish one of our goals."
MacLeod currently leads the PowerWater CASCAR Super Series Rookie of the year standings, and is 16th in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
The next CASCAR Super Series race of the season, the MOPAR 500 Weekend at Race City Motorsport Park, Canada's finest high banked, half-mile oval, will take place July 22-23 in Calgary, Alberta.
For information about the MOPAR 500 Weekend call 403.272-RACE (7223) or visit www.racecity.com.
LeLiever close at Mosport: Late race spin costs the Barrie Honda/Georgian/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo a good finish
Release prepared by Russ Bond Agency (www.russbondagency.com)
MOSPORT, ONTARIO - Brad LeLiever and the Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac /Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo paid there first visit to Mosport International Speedway on Saturday night for round 5 of the Ontario Pro Challenge Series.
"This is a much faster track," LeLiever said. "And both ends of the racetrack are very different. It will take some getting used to."
In the heat race, LeLiever lined up second on the grid, but he got hung on the outside. "It was frustrating not to be able to get to the bottom of the racetrack," LeLiever said. "Then I missed a gear, and that sent me to the back." The result was a ninth place finish. The team made some changes to the Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo and things were looking good for the feature.
After a lengthy autograph session for the Fan Appreciation Night, LeLiever was once again ready to battle. "I was just amazed at the number of fans that came up to the Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac /Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo for autographs. They are all so passionate about the sport, and it is great to be able to spend a few minutes talking to them."
In the feature, LeLiever had a strong run going, moving up to sixth, and at the tail end of the lead battle, when a passing move went a little wrong. "I tried to go to the inside, and like at Flamboro earlier in the year, a little contact sent me into a spin," LeLiever said. "I will say we are really learning a lot about the series, and all the other teams have been great about helping us get up to speed. This is a great group to race with, and I am really happy to be in this series. It was a great move for our Holgate Motorsports team."
With his night's points, LeLiever is comfortably eighth in the championship points.
MOSPORT, ONTARIO - Brad LeLiever and the Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac /Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo paid there first visit to Mosport International Speedway on Saturday night for round 5 of the Ontario Pro Challenge Series.
"This is a much faster track," LeLiever said. "And both ends of the racetrack are very different. It will take some getting used to."
In the heat race, LeLiever lined up second on the grid, but he got hung on the outside. "It was frustrating not to be able to get to the bottom of the racetrack," LeLiever said. "Then I missed a gear, and that sent me to the back." The result was a ninth place finish. The team made some changes to the Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo and things were looking good for the feature.
After a lengthy autograph session for the Fan Appreciation Night, LeLiever was once again ready to battle. "I was just amazed at the number of fans that came up to the Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac /Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo for autographs. They are all so passionate about the sport, and it is great to be able to spend a few minutes talking to them."
In the feature, LeLiever had a strong run going, moving up to sixth, and at the tail end of the lead battle, when a passing move went a little wrong. "I tried to go to the inside, and like at Flamboro earlier in the year, a little contact sent me into a spin," LeLiever said. "I will say we are really learning a lot about the series, and all the other teams have been great about helping us get up to speed. This is a great group to race with, and I am really happy to be in this series. It was a great move for our Holgate Motorsports team."
With his night's points, LeLiever is comfortably eighth in the championship points.
SOLID RUN FOR BROWN AT MOLSON INDY: Tenth Place Finish Has NAPA/AUTOPRO Team Thinking West
Prepared By Ken Spencer, Marketing and Media Relations, Brown Auto Racing
A solid finish in CASCAR’s special appearance at the Molson Indy was all Doug Brown was hoping for when the Super Series teams took to the track following Sunday’s CHAMP Car Series race in Toronto.
The Brantford competitor got his wish by piloting his NAPA/Autopro-sponsored Monte Carlo to a solid 10th-place finish in the 36-lap chase through the temporary road course circuit at Exhibition Place.
Brown started 18th following a disappointing time trial but maintained a steady determined pace from the drop of the green flag to save on tire wear. With just 3 laps remaining, he was within striking distance of 10th place and took the position from road course racing specialist Mark Swain on the final lap.
“Our game plan was to run consistent lap times and hope some of the front runners would be forced to make pit stops for tires. I guess our strategy worked,” an elated driver remarked following the race.
With the strong performance Brown has now moved to 17th place in the seasonal points and is now just 38 points out of 12th and 81short of his preseason target of 10th place in the overall standings.
Kerry Micks of Mt. Albert captured the ATTO 100 in his Power Water Ford Taurus taking the lead from Series leader Don Thomson in the Home Hardware Monte Carlo on lap 29. Peter Gibbons of Stouffville edged his Canadian Tire Monte Carlo past Thomson on the final lap to claim second spot.
The event was the seventh appearance of CASCAR teams at the Molson Indy Toronto and was viewed by a large portion of the estimated crowd of 71,000 who stayed following the CHAMP Car featured show to watch the most entertaining race on the weekend calendar.
Western Trip Now A Consideration:
Does this change Doug Brown’s plan for staying home during the Super Series tour to Western Canada?
“It’s got us thinking seriously of making that trip, especially with the “position” we’re now in,” Doug responded as he pondered the possibility. “With the qualifying races for each of the Calgary and Vernon events factored into the championship race, that’s four points events we desperately need, especially to position ourselves for next season. A lot will depend on how we can fair in obtaining some extra funding”
That “position” Doug was referring to is the impression companies will be looking at when teams go out in search for sponsors next season.
With prospects of further developments within the NASCAR/CASCAR Strategic Alliance that was formed prior to this season and one that will have a dramatic impact on the marketability of teams in the series, the swing west is a venture a lot of teams have already committed to and certainly one the #10 team will have to make in looking to the future.
With some tentative transportation considerations already in the making, don’t be too surprised to see the NAPA/Autopro team heading west shortly.
Dalziel takes top ten Toronto finish
Toronto, Canada (July 10, 2005) Ryan Dalziel marked his Bridgestoone Presents The
Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford race debut today at the Molson Indy Toronto with
a top ten performance on the 1.755-mile street course.
The 23-year-old Scottish rookie bounced back from the disappointment of a first-lap
puncture to pilot the #19 American Medical Response Bridgestone/Ford-Cosworth/Lola to
ninth place for Dale Coyne Racing and a solid points paying finish in a race marred by
a series of second-half incidents and accidents.
Ryan's day wasn't without its own drama as he failed to complete a lap in morning
practice thanks to a drive shaft failure. Frustrated not to benefit from the extra
practice time Dalziel turned his attentions to this afternoon's race, where he
qualified 16th for the 88-lap sprint round the streets of Toronto.
No sooner had the Orlando resident taken the green flag to start his charge when an
over ambitious move from Marcus Marshall resulted in contact between the two cars at
Turn 8, the Australian's front-wing slashing Ryan's right-rear tire. Forced to pit
at the end of the first lap Dalziel was soon back on-track with fresh rubber but the
incident cost the Toyota Atlantic Championship runner-up valuable time and within a
handful of laps he found himself a lap down to the leading trio of Bourdais, Tracy and
eventual race winner Justin Wilson.
From there he settled into a steady rhythm, all the while enjoying the opportunity to
race a 750bhp Champ Car in anger for the first time. The first half of the race proved
to be fairly uneventful but the second half would provide Ryan with a chance to climb
the running order as the attrition rate grew steadily and the race became littered with
full course cautions.
Keeping the #19 American Medical Response car out of trouble he soon found himself
tucked inside the top ten, safely avoiding the accidents that resulted in no less than
three re-starts in the final 25 laps, the last of the full course cautions, caused by
Mario Dominguez's heavy smash into the stricken car of A.J. Allmendinger, resulted in
the race being called under the yellows having reached its allocated time limit.
After the race Ryan commented:
"It was annoying having to pit so early on, it cost me a lap which certainly didn't
help, but after I was back out on track I was happy with the balance of the car and we
were quicker than a lot of the mid-pack runners but down on track position. We then
had an incident with Bjorn Wirdheim later in the race which caused some damage, the car
lost a lot of rear downforce, it became pretty loose but I held it together and we kept
in the race and scored a decent finish at the checkered flag."
"It was a little disappointing that guys who were slower ultimately finished ahead of
me at the finish but we came here with a top ten as our objective and we conquered
that. Again I have to thank Dale Coyne and American Medical Response for giving me the
chance to race here in Canada and I hope we can continue for the rest of the year."
Justin Wilson claimed his first career Champ Car World Series victory in Toronto, the
former F1 racer beating out Spain's Oriol Servia and Canada's Alex Tagliani to the
top step of the podium.
A brand new Canadian street race in Edmonton, Alberta hosts Round 7 of the 2005
Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford next weekend, 15th-17th
July.
www.ryandalziel.com
For further information please contact Stuart Morrison Public Relations:
Tel: +1 514 684 3253 / Cell: +1 514 998 5693 / Email: stuart@sm-pr.com
Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford race debut today at the Molson Indy Toronto with
a top ten performance on the 1.755-mile street course.
The 23-year-old Scottish rookie bounced back from the disappointment of a first-lap
puncture to pilot the #19 American Medical Response Bridgestone/Ford-Cosworth/Lola to
ninth place for Dale Coyne Racing and a solid points paying finish in a race marred by
a series of second-half incidents and accidents.
Ryan's day wasn't without its own drama as he failed to complete a lap in morning
practice thanks to a drive shaft failure. Frustrated not to benefit from the extra
practice time Dalziel turned his attentions to this afternoon's race, where he
qualified 16th for the 88-lap sprint round the streets of Toronto.
No sooner had the Orlando resident taken the green flag to start his charge when an
over ambitious move from Marcus Marshall resulted in contact between the two cars at
Turn 8, the Australian's front-wing slashing Ryan's right-rear tire. Forced to pit
at the end of the first lap Dalziel was soon back on-track with fresh rubber but the
incident cost the Toyota Atlantic Championship runner-up valuable time and within a
handful of laps he found himself a lap down to the leading trio of Bourdais, Tracy and
eventual race winner Justin Wilson.
From there he settled into a steady rhythm, all the while enjoying the opportunity to
race a 750bhp Champ Car in anger for the first time. The first half of the race proved
to be fairly uneventful but the second half would provide Ryan with a chance to climb
the running order as the attrition rate grew steadily and the race became littered with
full course cautions.
Keeping the #19 American Medical Response car out of trouble he soon found himself
tucked inside the top ten, safely avoiding the accidents that resulted in no less than
three re-starts in the final 25 laps, the last of the full course cautions, caused by
Mario Dominguez's heavy smash into the stricken car of A.J. Allmendinger, resulted in
the race being called under the yellows having reached its allocated time limit.
After the race Ryan commented:
"It was annoying having to pit so early on, it cost me a lap which certainly didn't
help, but after I was back out on track I was happy with the balance of the car and we
were quicker than a lot of the mid-pack runners but down on track position. We then
had an incident with Bjorn Wirdheim later in the race which caused some damage, the car
lost a lot of rear downforce, it became pretty loose but I held it together and we kept
in the race and scored a decent finish at the checkered flag."
"It was a little disappointing that guys who were slower ultimately finished ahead of
me at the finish but we came here with a top ten as our objective and we conquered
that. Again I have to thank Dale Coyne and American Medical Response for giving me the
chance to race here in Canada and I hope we can continue for the rest of the year."
Justin Wilson claimed his first career Champ Car World Series victory in Toronto, the
former F1 racer beating out Spain's Oriol Servia and Canada's Alex Tagliani to the
top step of the podium.
A brand new Canadian street race in Edmonton, Alberta hosts Round 7 of the 2005
Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford next weekend, 15th-17th
July.
www.ryandalziel.com
For further information please contact Stuart Morrison Public Relations:
Tel: +1 514 684 3253 / Cell: +1 514 998 5693 / Email: stuart@sm-pr.com
Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL: Gearing up for the Rock Island Grand Prix
By Roger Ruthhart, Rock Island Grand Prix, Rock Island, Illinois
Seattle, WA (July 7, 2005) – North America’s elite karting series brings its headline classes to the elite event in North American karting this Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-4, when the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL will sanction non-championship ICC and ICA races at the world famous Rock Island Grand Prix. The United States Street Championships at Rock Island will see races in the ICA and ICC classes sanctioned by the Snap-on Stars of Karting. The Rock Island event, which is on the CIK World Calendar, has one of the most diverse ranges of classes in North American motorsport. Presenting sponsors are SBC Communications and CJC Investments, a Homevestors franchisee.
“Throughout our history, we have worked with all of the sanctioning bodies in an effort to produce a safe event that would benefit kart racing in general and Rock Island specifically. Our goal has always been to allow as broad a cross section of the sport as possible to compete here, while putting on a professional program and giving racers such a good experience that they want to come back again. We share a lot of the same philosophies with Stars and working with them gives both of us an opportunity to enhance our programs,” said Roger Ruthhart, head of the Rock Island Grand Prix organization.
Paul Zalud, managing director of the Snap-on Stars of Karting was equally excited, “This is a great opportunity for the Stars Organization and all its sponsors. I have always been a huge fan of the event and the great job that they do every year. We are happy and honored to be invited to be a supporting element.”
“The opportunity to partner with an event like the Rock Island Grand Prix is very valuable for our series. This is the type of race that everyone talks about putting on, but very few can actually pull off. Roger and his group have established this event as much more than a race over the years and our series, racers, Snap-on, and the Indy Racing League are very excited to be heading to the Quad-Cities,” said series marketing director Jeff Swoboda.
Racers in the prestigious King of the Streets event can also run in the ICC class of the Snap-on Stars of Karting race. The only difference in rules is a 5 pound minimum weight differential and a Bridgestone tire configuration for the Snap-on Stars race. Racers can acquire a temporary one-race Stars of Karting license to compete in the event for $25.
Spectators at the Rock Island Grand Prix will be treated to the Indy Racing League Fan Experience which will be promote the following week’s Chicagoland Speedway Indy Racing League event. The fully-contained traveling units are usually featured at IRL events and feature the IndyCar Series Pole Position -- a full-size IRL racing simulator; IndyCar Series Pit Stop -- a simulated pit stop; and IndyCar Series Tech -- where you can look inside an open-wheel Indy race car. There will also be an IndyCar Series race car on display, as well as vendors, other spectator diversions and nightly outdoor concerts.
Participants interested in entering the Rock Island Grand Prix can go to www.rockislandgrandprix.com and either enter online or print out the Official Entry Packet.
Those with any media or promotional inquiries about the Snap-on Stars of karting can e-mail jeff@starsofkarting.com or learn more about the series at www.starsofkarting.com.
Seattle, WA (July 7, 2005) – North America’s elite karting series brings its headline classes to the elite event in North American karting this Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-4, when the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL will sanction non-championship ICC and ICA races at the world famous Rock Island Grand Prix. The United States Street Championships at Rock Island will see races in the ICA and ICC classes sanctioned by the Snap-on Stars of Karting. The Rock Island event, which is on the CIK World Calendar, has one of the most diverse ranges of classes in North American motorsport. Presenting sponsors are SBC Communications and CJC Investments, a Homevestors franchisee.
“Throughout our history, we have worked with all of the sanctioning bodies in an effort to produce a safe event that would benefit kart racing in general and Rock Island specifically. Our goal has always been to allow as broad a cross section of the sport as possible to compete here, while putting on a professional program and giving racers such a good experience that they want to come back again. We share a lot of the same philosophies with Stars and working with them gives both of us an opportunity to enhance our programs,” said Roger Ruthhart, head of the Rock Island Grand Prix organization.
Paul Zalud, managing director of the Snap-on Stars of Karting was equally excited, “This is a great opportunity for the Stars Organization and all its sponsors. I have always been a huge fan of the event and the great job that they do every year. We are happy and honored to be invited to be a supporting element.”
“The opportunity to partner with an event like the Rock Island Grand Prix is very valuable for our series. This is the type of race that everyone talks about putting on, but very few can actually pull off. Roger and his group have established this event as much more than a race over the years and our series, racers, Snap-on, and the Indy Racing League are very excited to be heading to the Quad-Cities,” said series marketing director Jeff Swoboda.
Racers in the prestigious King of the Streets event can also run in the ICC class of the Snap-on Stars of Karting race. The only difference in rules is a 5 pound minimum weight differential and a Bridgestone tire configuration for the Snap-on Stars race. Racers can acquire a temporary one-race Stars of Karting license to compete in the event for $25.
Spectators at the Rock Island Grand Prix will be treated to the Indy Racing League Fan Experience which will be promote the following week’s Chicagoland Speedway Indy Racing League event. The fully-contained traveling units are usually featured at IRL events and feature the IndyCar Series Pole Position -- a full-size IRL racing simulator; IndyCar Series Pit Stop -- a simulated pit stop; and IndyCar Series Tech -- where you can look inside an open-wheel Indy race car. There will also be an IndyCar Series race car on display, as well as vendors, other spectator diversions and nightly outdoor concerts.
Participants interested in entering the Rock Island Grand Prix can go to www.rockislandgrandprix.com and either enter online or print out the Official Entry Packet.
Those with any media or promotional inquiries about the Snap-on Stars of karting can e-mail jeff@starsofkarting.com or learn more about the series at www.starsofkarting.com.
Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Saturday class wrap up
Release prepared by Russ Bond Agency (www.russbondagency.com)
HAMILTON, ONTARIO Cameron Motorsports Park in Hamilton, Ontario, hosted round 4 of the 2005 Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels. And on Saturday, the action was fast and furious. For Cameron Motorsport's Mike Vincec, it looked like a repeat of round 2 at Sutton where Vincec won both Formula Junior and Rotax Max Junior. Other winners were Jonathan Treadwell in Canada Junior Light, Addison Rayner in World Formula Junior, and Pearce Herder in Canada Senior.
Formula Junior
Cameron Motorsports CRG driver Maxime Pelletier took the first Pfaff Fast Qualifier of the day. First to the flag of the 22 lap final was Cameron CRG driver Michael Vincec. Second went to poleman Pelletier, and third was Cameron Motorsports CRG driver which completed the sweep of the podium for Cameron Motorsports Kyle Marcelli.
Rotax Max Junior
Sodi Kart's Brad Forbes took the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award in Rotax Max Jr. Forbes went on to finish second behind Cameron Motosports CRG driver Michael Vincec, who took his second win of the day. Third went to PTK's Dylan Gibson.
Canada Junior Light
Birel's Jonathon Treadwell took the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award in Canada Junior Light. Treadwell went on to win over second place man, Gold Kart's Vincent Rago and third went to Birel's Mitchell Casey.
World Formula Junior
Team Hurricane had a clean sweep of the World Formula Junior pole and podium. Addison Rayner took the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award and the win. He was followed by Barrie Grand Prix winner Jeff May, and Joshua Korenyi.
Canada Senior
Gold Kart's Pearce Herder in his first year of Senior competition took it to the veterans at Hamilton by taking the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award and the win. Herder's Gold teammate Aaron de Heus was second and Birel's Jennifer Rempel was third.
The GM Winners Circle award for outstanding skills and sportsmanship went to Simcoe Kart Club's Jonathan Treadwell for his clean sweep in Canada Junior Light.
The objective of the SRFKC is to help foster a professional environment for kart drivers; help create a positive attitude towards appearance, conduct and discipline; help foster the employment of the best practices for the safe and fair running of competitions; and help kart drivers to move up the racing ladder to automobile racing.
For more information, please contact:
Russ Bond, 905-852-2900 russbond@russbondagency.com
HAMILTON, ONTARIO Cameron Motorsports Park in Hamilton, Ontario, hosted round 4 of the 2005 Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels. And on Saturday, the action was fast and furious. For Cameron Motorsport's Mike Vincec, it looked like a repeat of round 2 at Sutton where Vincec won both Formula Junior and Rotax Max Junior. Other winners were Jonathan Treadwell in Canada Junior Light, Addison Rayner in World Formula Junior, and Pearce Herder in Canada Senior.
Formula Junior
Cameron Motorsports CRG driver Maxime Pelletier took the first Pfaff Fast Qualifier of the day. First to the flag of the 22 lap final was Cameron CRG driver Michael Vincec. Second went to poleman Pelletier, and third was Cameron Motorsports CRG driver which completed the sweep of the podium for Cameron Motorsports Kyle Marcelli.
Rotax Max Junior
Sodi Kart's Brad Forbes took the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award in Rotax Max Jr. Forbes went on to finish second behind Cameron Motosports CRG driver Michael Vincec, who took his second win of the day. Third went to PTK's Dylan Gibson.
Canada Junior Light
Birel's Jonathon Treadwell took the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award in Canada Junior Light. Treadwell went on to win over second place man, Gold Kart's Vincent Rago and third went to Birel's Mitchell Casey.
World Formula Junior
Team Hurricane had a clean sweep of the World Formula Junior pole and podium. Addison Rayner took the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award and the win. He was followed by Barrie Grand Prix winner Jeff May, and Joshua Korenyi.
Canada Senior
Gold Kart's Pearce Herder in his first year of Senior competition took it to the veterans at Hamilton by taking the Pfaff Fast Qualifier award and the win. Herder's Gold teammate Aaron de Heus was second and Birel's Jennifer Rempel was third.
The GM Winners Circle award for outstanding skills and sportsmanship went to Simcoe Kart Club's Jonathan Treadwell for his clean sweep in Canada Junior Light.
The objective of the SRFKC is to help foster a professional environment for kart drivers; help create a positive attitude towards appearance, conduct and discipline; help foster the employment of the best practices for the safe and fair running of competitions; and help kart drivers to move up the racing ladder to automobile racing.
For more information, please contact:
Russ Bond, 905-852-2900 russbond@russbondagency.com
Joe BARES Takes First Career SOD Feature with Win at Owendale
Ken Pelkie, Sprints On Dirt, Holt, MI
The Engine Pro, Sprints On Dirt series presented by Total Seal made a stop at Owendale Speedway Saturday night in the Michigan thumb area and when the dust settled, “the Fastest Cop On Dirt” was standing in victory lane. Joe Bares of Traverse City, Michigan drove the DCR chassis, Rycenge Electric, Altron Automation, Lubrication Engineers, Prestige Painting machine to his first ever Sprints On Dirt Feature win on the tight confines of the quarter mile oval.
Several caution periods slowed the event which resembled a miniature version of a NASCAR race at Bristol including a late race incident involving race long leader Ben Rutan that opened the door for the win by Bares. Gregg Dalman finished second with Bill Johnson third. Tim Norman driving the Kyle Poortenga 84 came home fourth with Mark Broughman running up from seventeenth to close out the top five. Rookie of the year contender Louie Carufel was sixth followed by Aaron Shaffer, Cody Geldart, Ernie Kuehneman, and Ben Rutan who rounded out the top ten.
SOD moves on to Crystal Motor Speedway next Saturday night for their first visit of the 2005 season and the running of the 40 lap “Mid Season Championship”. Be sure to log on to the official website of SOD at www.sprintsondirt.com for all the latest news on Michigan’s premier sprint car series.
TOYOTA ATLANTIC: Bessette victorious in Toronto
By Michel Poirier-Defoy, Bessette Racing Team
Molson Indy, Toronto, July 10. – Antoine Bessette took his first win in the Toyota Atlantic championship on home turf after passing David Martinez on the penultimate lap and taking his career-first checkered flag.
Starting from third place, the 23-year-old rookie driver that hails out of St-Bruno, Québec, managed past the first corner without trouble and drove patiently behind the leaders setting up some passing for the later stages of the 35-lap race.
On lap 26, he earned second place when series leader Zwolsman experienced some mechanical problems. For the next laps, he put pressure on Martinez and got by him in turn one on lap 33. He finished with a 1,281 second ahead of the Mexican. Cheered by the crowd, he put on a string of donuts before heading to podium ceremony.
"This is the race I planned, said a shining Bessette. My first concern was to get clear by the first corner. I knew I had a faster car then David (Martinez) but was in no rush to pass him as long as he stayed within reach of Charles (Zwolsman). When he dropped out of contention, I knew I had to look for the proper moment to take the lead. I’m so happy for my team that gave me a good car all weekend. This has got to be the turning point in my season since I get big championship points and keep first place within sight. Let’s get ready for Edmonton."
In every outing from Friday morning to race day, Bessette posted very quick times on the 1,755 mile twisty Toronto track. He was fastest in both practices, second in the first qualifying session and fourth in the second qualifying session and morning warm-up. “I worked very hard with my engineer Bruce Potter on setting up the #3 Unik Auto Design car for this track. The car for the race was the best compromise and I felt very confident when I took to the track.”
Bessette’s victory was the first by a Canadian since Michael Valiante in 2003 and the first by a Quebec driver since Patrick Carpentier in 1996. By coincidence, the engineer for Carpentier that year was Jim Griffiths, Polestar Racing Group team owner with Bruce Potter!
Bessette remains third in the season with 169 points but closes the gap behind Tonis Kasemets (179) and Charles Zwolsman (186). Polestar Racing Group heads out to Western Canada for the maiden event in Edmonton, Alberta, the Edmonton Grand Prix, the second of three Canadian events.
Next round of the 32nd season of the Toyota Atlantic championship will take place on July 15 to 17 at Finning International Speedway, a 1,960-mile 12-turn temporary airport course. Antoine Bessette will drive the Polestar Racing Group #3 UNIK Auto Design car.
You may visit Antoine Bessette's web site at www.bessetteracing.com and the series at www.toyotaatlantic.com.
Molson Indy, Toronto, July 10. – Antoine Bessette took his first win in the Toyota Atlantic championship on home turf after passing David Martinez on the penultimate lap and taking his career-first checkered flag.
Starting from third place, the 23-year-old rookie driver that hails out of St-Bruno, Québec, managed past the first corner without trouble and drove patiently behind the leaders setting up some passing for the later stages of the 35-lap race.
On lap 26, he earned second place when series leader Zwolsman experienced some mechanical problems. For the next laps, he put pressure on Martinez and got by him in turn one on lap 33. He finished with a 1,281 second ahead of the Mexican. Cheered by the crowd, he put on a string of donuts before heading to podium ceremony.
"This is the race I planned, said a shining Bessette. My first concern was to get clear by the first corner. I knew I had a faster car then David (Martinez) but was in no rush to pass him as long as he stayed within reach of Charles (Zwolsman). When he dropped out of contention, I knew I had to look for the proper moment to take the lead. I’m so happy for my team that gave me a good car all weekend. This has got to be the turning point in my season since I get big championship points and keep first place within sight. Let’s get ready for Edmonton."
In every outing from Friday morning to race day, Bessette posted very quick times on the 1,755 mile twisty Toronto track. He was fastest in both practices, second in the first qualifying session and fourth in the second qualifying session and morning warm-up. “I worked very hard with my engineer Bruce Potter on setting up the #3 Unik Auto Design car for this track. The car for the race was the best compromise and I felt very confident when I took to the track.”
Bessette’s victory was the first by a Canadian since Michael Valiante in 2003 and the first by a Quebec driver since Patrick Carpentier in 1996. By coincidence, the engineer for Carpentier that year was Jim Griffiths, Polestar Racing Group team owner with Bruce Potter!
Bessette remains third in the season with 169 points but closes the gap behind Tonis Kasemets (179) and Charles Zwolsman (186). Polestar Racing Group heads out to Western Canada for the maiden event in Edmonton, Alberta, the Edmonton Grand Prix, the second of three Canadian events.
Next round of the 32nd season of the Toyota Atlantic championship will take place on July 15 to 17 at Finning International Speedway, a 1,960-mile 12-turn temporary airport course. Antoine Bessette will drive the Polestar Racing Group #3 UNIK Auto Design car.
You may visit Antoine Bessette's web site at www.bessetteracing.com and the series at www.toyotaatlantic.com.
HEARTBREAKING DISAPPOINTMENT FOR TEAM 3 RED
By Jamie Hakonson, Team 3 Red
July 10, 2005- Toronto, Ontario- After a long and drawn out weekend at Molson Indy Toronto Team 3 Red suffered disappointment at the 1.72 mile city asphalt course at the ATTO 100 Sunday afternoon.
The Molson Indy Toronto was only the second time that Team 3 Red driver Stu Robinson Jr. had seen a road course configuration since his first road event early this season at the Mosport International Raceway Road Course.
The Team prepared well and were confident in their race machine to take Stu through to the end of the 36 lap race through the tight course. Starting in the 25th starting spot in the large field of 32 cars, the #3 Snap on Tools Dodge was poised for a good race. The green flag dropped on the field late Sunday afternoon and Robinson made it through the infamous first turn at the end of the front straightaway safely. It was then through turns 2 and 3 of the 10-turn road course and onto the long back straightaway of the Lakeshore Blvd. hitting speeds upwards of 140 km/h.
At the end of the 2nd lap Robinson had moved up in the running order to 24th and the car was starting to come to him as he chased down the #71 for position. A full course caution came out on lap 3 and the field slowed. After two complete circuits of the track, the field went green. On the restart just before the end of the back straightaway, the quickest part of the racetrack, Team 3 Red driver Robinson Jr.'s #3 Snap on Tools Dodge spun around on the track.
While Robinson tried to clear his head and re-fire his car, he was hit by another car and was sent hard into the opposite wall of the concrete surrounded track. Molson Indy track services got to Robinson Jr. and spotter Mike Wagner attempted to assess the damage to the car. The team was forced to retire for the day.
Driver Stu Robinson Jr was truly disillusioned sitting in the paddock area after they brought their car back in after the race.
"This was pretty disappointing this weekend. I was just starting to get the hang of the track and the car was working well for us. The crew worked so hard all weekend long to give me a good car and this is pretty upsetting! We'll get the cars back to the shop and get ready to go oval track racing again."
The Team will re-group this week and prepare their race cars for the trip out west to Race City Speedway in Calgary, Alberta July 22nd & 23rd and then on to Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, British Columbia for July 29 & 30th!
Team 3 Red will be accompanied by Super 8 Motels and Snap-on Tools at the Super 8 Motels Pit Stop Challenge being held at Eau Claire Market in downtown Calgary. It should be an exciting event and always enjoys a great turn out by the CASCAR Super Series race teams and the Downtown community in Calgary!
Team 3 Red is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Arctic Car ATV's, Super 8 Motels, Advantex Freight Forwarders, Fast Eddie Racewear and Choko Motorsports.
SEAN STAFFORD AND THE LE WALKER TEAM VICTIMS OF OTHERS MISTAKES
By Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
July 12, 2005. The #42 LE Walker Transport Chevrolet team has worked almost non stop to get their cars prepared for each of the CASCAR Super Series events but once again it was the actions of others that will keep the team busy with repairs.
As the CASCAR Super Series hit the streets of Exhibition place for their annual visit to the Toronto Indy circuit the team was looking for a solid effort to get some positive results.
After barely taking the green flag for practice on Friday afternoon another competitor made a terrible mistake not slowing for a yellow flag and bounced into the #42 LE Walker Transport Chevy causing significant body damage. The crew made repairs as best they could, and got the car ready for qualifying on Saturday. With only limited time however they would start 27th.
Driver Sean Stafford approached the race with the same let's make something positive out of this attitude but it was not to be. Again with only a handful of laps gone in the 100km race, other competitors got into each other, and the LE Walker Transport Chevy was clipped from behind sending it into the wall and severely damaging the right front part of the car. "I think we had a good car, but we never really got enough laps to know for sure" said Stafford. "This has been such a frustrating weekend, these guys work so hard and we get caught in other people's troubles, I feel bad for them."
The crew has already begun preparing the cars for the CASCAR Super Series swing through Western Canada. The next two events will take place at Race City Motorsports Park in Calgary, and then onto Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, BC.
For more information on Mid America Motorsports and the CASCAR Super series log onto www.cascar.ca and watch all of the races on Rogers Sportsnet.
RON BEAUCHAMP JR AND TEAM MOPAR SUFFER DISAPPOINTMENT IN TORONTO
Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
July 11, 2005. The Mopar Parts team was looking to turn things around by turning left and right on the Exhibition grounds along Toronto's lakeshore for CASCAR's annual visit to the Toronto Indy.
With a top ten finish at the first road course event the Mopar Part team was confident heading into the weekend schedule. Due to an early incident and subsequent red flag there was only limited practice time available. Still the Mopar Team felt good about their Dodge Charger and Ron Beauchamp Jr. was able to grab the 10th starting position.
Right from the drop of the green flag the car felt strong with plenty of Mopar power under the hood of Beauchamp's Charger. As is typical in Toronto there is plenty of jockeying for position early and Ron Jr. was looking to settle in and see what the car could do. Unfortunately the results were very disappointing.
The street circuits are extremely hard on the transmission and clutch and that's where the failure came. Doubly disappointing was the fact that no tow truck was allowed to retrieve the Mopar Charger and return it to pit lane. Thus the team could not make repairs to return to the action and accumulate championship points.
"This is the type of race that leaves a bad taste in your mouth" said Ron Jr. afterwards. "Our Mopar Charger was fine and then all of a sudden this failure. But we're going to put it behind us and really get focused on the next stop. The point's race is still tight, and we're still in the top ten".
The next stop for the CASCAR Super Series is Race City Motorsports Park in Calgary and the very popular Mopar 500 weekend. I've had some fast cars in Calgary and we'll be ready again, I really enjoy racing on that track" said the driver.
The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Stock Car Racing series with events scheduled this year at famed oval tracks including Delaware Speedway & Cayuga Speedway along with road courses and temporary street circuits like the Toronto Indy. You can keep up with the latest news on the CASCAR Super Series by logging onto the website at www.cascar.ca.
BRYAN CATHCART GAINS THE MOST POSITIONS AT TORONTO
By Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
July 11, 2005. Bryan Cathcart along with the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes team arrived in Toronto for round number five of the CASCAR Super Series season with their Dodge car well prepared for the concrete lined track at Exhibition place.
The Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes were immediately put behind the 8 ball during practice with only a handful of laps on the track due to a red flag situation. The result was a disappointing starting position of 25th on the grid. "We were a little off in the set up for the track so we ended up pretty far back" said the unsatisfied driver.
As is the norm on the Toronto track there were incidents early but Bryan Cathcart kept a cool head and steered the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge clear of the trouble spots. Quickly Bryan was able to move up into the top twenty. "In the race the car felt pretty good. I just tried to do my part and run consistently" said Cathcart. As the laps ticked away Cathcart continued to make progress, moving into the top fifteen and eventually claiming a well deserved 14th place finish. The improvement of 11 spots was the most made during the race.
"From where we started that's a really good result" said the driver. The car was very good all day long and I've got thank my team for that, they worked really hard to give me a good ride and it paid off".
Next up for Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge is the annual trip through Western Canada with stops at Race City Motorsports Park for the Mopar 500 Weekend and then onto Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, BC.
The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Touring Series of Stock Car Racing in Canada. All CASCAR Super Series Races can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet and SPEED TV. For more information and to follow the progress of Bryan Cathcart and the CASCAR Super Series log onto www.cascar.ca.
ANOTHER SOLID SHOWING FOR MARK SWAIN AND THE GE NIGHTHAWK CHEVROLET
Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
July 11, 2005. The GE Nighthawk Chevrolet team had worked hard to prepare the cars properly for driver Mark Swain and the annual CASCAR Super Series visit to Toronto. Their efforts would be rewarded with a respectable showing.
With only limited time on track during Friday practice the team worked feverishly trying to get the set up right for qualifying. Again they performed admirably and Mark was able to claim the 8th starting position, important on this temporary street circuit with concrete all around.
As 100 km event began there were a couple of early caution periods that the GE Nighthawk Chevy driver was able to avoid. "Things usually happen in this race and with our good starting spot we were able to stay away from them" said the driver. "Once we got some green flag laps I just tried to settle into a rhythm".
That smooth, experienced style allowed Mark to run in the top ten quite comfortably for most of the afternoon. However late in the race the handling began to go away slightly on the car and the GE Nighthawk Chevy would settle for an 11th place finish as the checkered flag waved. "It just got a little slippery out there toward the end of the race. I really wanted to finish in the top ten but it just got away from us. We'll make it next year for sure."
Mid America Racing President Dave Didero commented "this was another really good effort by Mark and the GE Nighthawk team. He's smooth, he's confident and he can bring the car home with the best possible finish. That's why we're so happy to have him working with our team."
The CASCAR Super Series competes at historic oval tracks like Delaware Speedway, Cayuga Speedway along with the challenging road course at Mosport International Raceway and also on the temporary street circuit at the Toronto Molson Indy.
For more information on Mid America Motorsports and the CASCAR Super series log onto www.cascar.ca and watch all of the races on Rogers Sportsnet.
TOP FIVE FOR CHALLENGER MOTOR FREIGHT/LOGEL'S AUTO PARTS DODGE AT TORONTO
By Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
July 11, 2005. Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's Auto Parts Charger team were well prepared for the CASCAR Super Series annual visit to the streets of Toronto and the Molson Indy circuit. Always a tough track on the teams they knew if prepared properly they would be able to come away with a solid showing.
Friday practice time was limited due to a red flag situation but Brad did manage to get enough laps in to feel the car out. "We got our tires scrubbed in and the car handled well so we felt good for qualifying" said the driver. Graham would start the 100K event in ninth spot.
In the early laps Brad kept the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's Auto Parts Charger out of any trouble and began to settle in. Graham was able to move up a couple of positions by the halfway point and then into the top five. "The car felt really good, I was just trying to stay smooth. There were a couple of times guys were looking to make a move, but I hit the braking zones right and they ended up sliding and missing corners.”
Brad ran as high as fourth during the event but slid back one spot and finished 5th overall. "It's another great effort by this team" said a happy driver after the race. "We've really been building some momentum over the last few races and have finished out of the top ten only once all year. We're definitely moving in the right direction.
With the top five finish and a team that continues to improve Brad sits seventh in the overall CASCAR Super Series championship standings.
The CASCAR Super Series now packs up and hits the road their annual western swing. First stop is Race City Motorsports Park in Calgary for the Mopar 500 Weekend and then onto Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, BC.
The CASCAR Super Series is Canada's only sanctioned National touring stock car racing series competing from coast to coast. CASCAR stages events at the most famous oval tracks in Canada such as Cayuga Speedway and Delaware Speedway and also competes on the temporary street circuit at the Molson Indy Toronto.
For more information regarding Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's Auto Parts Dodge log onto www.cascar.ca.
Bessette to start from second row in Toronto
By Michel Poirier-Defoy, Bessette Racing, (514) 942 – 8463
Toronto, Canada, July 9. – Antoine Bessette, the only Canadian to enter all rounds in the Atlantic championship in 2005, will start from second row tomorrow when the green is waved for the seventh round of the season, a 35-lap affair between the concrete walls of Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto. The St-Bruno, Quebec 23-year old driver clinched third best time on the starting grid with his best time (second overall with 1:07:607 min.) in the Friday qualifying session. He came up short this morning in the second qualifying session (1:07:882) while trying to earn his second pole position of the season. Antoine was also quickest in both practice sessions of the weekend.
“I was never able to get a clear track with my new tires, claimed AB. We put them on for the second part of the session after the red flag, but I wasted five good laps with slow cars in front of me. I finally got in a fair lap but was not able to better my Friday time. The track was pretty slippery this morning: I thought the Champ Car would allow us more grip but that was not the case. Some corners are still difficult to deal with because the concrete patches were shaved to eliminate bumps.
However, I’m very confident for tomorrow. I will determine the final setup with my engineer Bruce Potter and will see how the #3 Unik Auto Design behaves in the morning warm-up session. The race will be long and passing the backmarkers could be a factor. But first, we all have to make it pass the tricky first corner. Again, I feel confident because I’ll be on the inside lane.”
The 35-lap race is set for 10:00 ET tomorrow in Toronto, a 1,755, 11-turn temporary street facility.
You may visit Antoine Bessette's web site at www.bessetteracing.com
Toronto, Canada, July 9. – Antoine Bessette, the only Canadian to enter all rounds in the Atlantic championship in 2005, will start from second row tomorrow when the green is waved for the seventh round of the season, a 35-lap affair between the concrete walls of Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto. The St-Bruno, Quebec 23-year old driver clinched third best time on the starting grid with his best time (second overall with 1:07:607 min.) in the Friday qualifying session. He came up short this morning in the second qualifying session (1:07:882) while trying to earn his second pole position of the season. Antoine was also quickest in both practice sessions of the weekend.
“I was never able to get a clear track with my new tires, claimed AB. We put them on for the second part of the session after the red flag, but I wasted five good laps with slow cars in front of me. I finally got in a fair lap but was not able to better my Friday time. The track was pretty slippery this morning: I thought the Champ Car would allow us more grip but that was not the case. Some corners are still difficult to deal with because the concrete patches were shaved to eliminate bumps.
However, I’m very confident for tomorrow. I will determine the final setup with my engineer Bruce Potter and will see how the #3 Unik Auto Design behaves in the morning warm-up session. The race will be long and passing the backmarkers could be a factor. But first, we all have to make it pass the tricky first corner. Again, I feel confident because I’ll be on the inside lane.”
The 35-lap race is set for 10:00 ET tomorrow in Toronto, a 1,755, 11-turn temporary street facility.
You may visit Antoine Bessette's web site at www.bessetteracing.com
Monday, July 11, 2005
CASCAR: Micks Drives PowerWater Ford to Molson Indy Win
"We finally had it right on"
July 10, 2005, Toronto, ON - Driving his PowerWater 2005 Micks Motorsports Ford, veteran driver Kerry Micks won Sunday's CASCAR Super Series ATTO 100 on the temporary road circuit at Exhibition Place as part of the Molson Indy Toronto.
"This was at the top of our list for races to win and I can't believe we actually did it," stated Micks after the event. "The team was unbelievable, they worked extremely hard rebuilding the car after our wreck at Mosport. The PowerWater Ford was strong all day and it didn't go away."
The CASCAR Super Series veteran started 11th in the field for the 36-lap race and passed race leader Don Thomson Jr. with seven laps to go en route to his first-ever Molson Indy win. It was the CASCAR Super Series' seventh consecutive appearance, this year as part of the 20th Anniversary edition of the Molson Indy on the 11-turn, 2.824-km street circuit in Toronto
"This was just our second race with this car. It's the product of years of input and experience and we finally had it right on. I was backing off a little bit early but about mid-way, it looked like there wasn't going to be a caution so I knew I had to get going after Donnie (Thomson). Obviously, I caught him pretty fast because his car went away pretty severely."
Micks took the lead at the end of the long Lakeshore Boulevard straightaway on lap 29. Once in front, Micks was able to build a solid lead. Micks took the checkered flag 8.4-seconds ahead of Peter Gibbons, while Don Thomson Jr. hung on for the final podium position.
The Molson Indy win is Micks' second of the season in the PowerWater Micks Motorsports Ford moves him into third position in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
The next CASCAR Super Series race of the season, the MOPAR 500 Weekend at Race City Motorsport Park, Canada's finest high banked, half-mile oval, will take place July 22-23 in Calgary, Alberta.
For information about the MOPAR 500 Weekend call 403.272-RACE (7223) or visit www.racecity.com.
Calgary driver holds on for eighth place in Toronto
By Terry Tarapacki, Trak Media (780) 906-9466, trak@telusplanet.net
TORONTO, ON (July 9, 2005) — In a damaged vehicle on a punishing street course that allows for very few passing opportunities, Calgary driver Hima Maher finished eighth at the Trans-Am in T.O. Maher was also the race’s top rookie and top Canadian, finishing the afternoon in 1:16:49.623 with an average speed of 72.642 miles per hour on the Exhibition Park raceway in Toronto.
Maher’s best lap time occurred on lap 14 when he clocked in at 1:15.833 (83.315 miles per hour). However, his Centennial Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette suffered some front-end damage when he tried to pass fellow Canadian, who was about to be lapped. The minor collision hampered Maher’s ability to accelerate through the 11 tight turns on the 1.75-mile circuit.
Being the eight-place finisher won Maher the BF Goodrich Tires Anniversary Award, from Goodyear who has been Trans-Am’s spec tire supplier for eight consecutive years. Maher, who finished the race one position behind series leader and Derhaag Motorsports teammate Randy Ruhlman, is slowly creeping up in the Trans-Am standings. He’s now in ninth place overall with 54 points—one point behind Floridian racer Phillip Simms.
In the last three races, both Hima and the car have been very consistent, improving and keeping with team strategy. The Trans-AM in T.O. can seen on Speed Channel Sunday 17 at 12:30 PM ET, the same weekend that brings Maher home to Alberta for the next Trans-Am event in Edmonton July 15-16.
Formed in 1999, Maher Racing Inc. is dedicated to high-performance driving and enhancing the profile of sport driving in Calgary, Alta. and is supported by the Centennial Motorsports Group of Calgary. Derhaag Motorsports is owned by Jim Derhaag, and is based out of Shakopee, Minn. and has the highest-finishing records on the Trans-Am circuit. For more information, log onto www.maherracing.com.
PAUL FIX WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE GT-1 TRANS-AM HONOR
By Justin Anderson
TORONTO, Ontario (July 9, 2005) — Paul Fix won the GT-1 Class portion of the Trans-Am in T.O. race Saturday at the Molson Indy Toronto. Fix, in the No. 77 Stop Flex/Computer Systems Centre/Pennzoil Ford Mustang, drove from ninth to finish an overall sixth, and first in the GT-1 Class, which featured a season high five competitors.
Fix won the GT-1 Class at Cleveland and now sits just five points behind GT-1 Class leader Moneca Kolvyn (No. 08 West Coast Hot Rods Chevrolet Monte Carlo).“We knew what we wanted to do from the beginning of the weekend—we wanted to win the GT-1 Class and get a good finish overall,” said Fix. “This was a great weekend and Toronto is a great city. We always love coming here. It was just a great weekend, altogether.”
Fix also earned the VP Hard Charger Award in the GT-1 Class for advancing the most position in class.
GENTILOZZI BREAKS DONOHUES RECORD AS DRISSI FINISHES THIRD IN TORONTO
By Bruce Lyon
TORONTO (July 9, 2005) Four-time Trans-Am series champion, Paul Gentilozzi, survived the heat of the Toronto afternoon to win his 30th career race and break the record for most career wins. Gentilozzi and the late Mark Donohue shared the all-time Trans Am Series record with 29 wins after taking the victory at Denver in 2004.
Gentilozzi's Rocketsports Racing teammates, Tomy Drissi, drove the No. 5 Supercross the Movie Jaguar XKR to a third place podium finish, while series rookie, Klaus Graf, in the No. 7 Jaguar R Performance XKR was sidelined with a mechanical issue and finished 12th.
Taking the green flag from the front row, Gentilozzi pulled Drissi and Graf through turn one to lead a Rocketsports train down the backstretch. The series veteran led 27 laps en route to his history making win. "The car was perfect today," said the all-time wins leader. "We knew Klaus was going to be strong, so it was not a big surprise when he over took me on the fifth lap. Unfortunately, a flat tire caused him to pit giving the lead back to us. Having the solid racecar we had today allowed us to maintain the lead to the checkered flag. The win is another great accomplishment for the Rocketsports team."
The always exciting, Drissi, drove a perfect race as he maintained third for the majority of the laps to finish on the podium for the first time this year, closing the gap within five points for third place standings in the championship. "I think I pulled it all together," said the Rockin' Moroccan. "I kept my composure and the team did a great job this weekend. I have to say congratulations to Paul for his accomplishment."
Experiencing another difficult weekend, the German native, Graf, led 28 laps before being snake bitten with a flat tire and then having a mechanical failure. "The race started off very good for us," stated the series rookie. Then there was a slow puncture happening in one of my tires. I had to come in and change tires, loosing the lead and going a lap down. It is a shame; the Rocketsports team did such a great job this weekend. We had a great race car and it showed, so a bit of a disappointment but we will try again in Edmonton."
Tune in to SPEED TV to watch the history making moment of four-time champion Paul Gentilozzi break the record for Most Career Wins on Sunday July 17th at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.
ISMA HEADS EAST AND THEN NORTH OF THE BORDER
By Carol D Haynes
Oswego, NY After a couple weeks¹ hiatus, the ISMA Lucas Oil-Helping Hands of America Super Series heads for a Wednesday, July 13 show at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut and three days later they will fill the pits at Cayuga Speedway in Ontario, Canada on July 16. Wednesday¹s show at Stafford is called Xtreme Wednesday and what a show that will be. At Cayuga, the winged supers return after a year¹s absence at that five-eighth¹s mile oval. A great field of cars is expected at each show.
Xtreme Wednesday at Stafford finds Chris Perley the defending champion after winning last year¹s exciting 80 lapper. Mike Ordway, Bentley Warren, Scotty Martel and Rick Wentworth trailed him to the checkers. Joining ISMA again this year will be the NEMA midgets and Pro-4 Modifieds. In addition Stafford has some special treats up their sleeve with some stars from NASCAR, USAC and the IRL added to the night.
Rising star Erin Crocker has also entered the Seymour Enterprises midget in Stafford Motor Speedway's CARQUEST Extreme Wednesday. This will be Crocker's first New England appearance since signing on with NASCAR Nextel Cup's Evernham Motorsports operation.
In addition to Crocker, several USAC midget and Sprint car regulars are expected to join the field of NEMA midgets. Bobby Santos and Mike Lewis will have their regular USAC mounts, from the Wirtgen Racing stable, outfitted with wings to see how they measure up against area stalwarts that include ISMA star Joey Payne and defending NEMA champ Ben Seitz.
Buddy Rice, the 2004 Indy 500 champion and NEXTEL Cup Stars Dave Blaney, Ken Schrader and Car Edwards round out the program with an autograph session as well as the CARQUEST USAC all Star Clash which will see Blaney, Edwards and Schrader compete in USAC Silver Crown Cars for a winner-take-all 15 lap main event.
Advance tickets are available for CARQUEST Extreme Wednesday at $28.00 for adult general admission, $5.00 for children 6-14, and free for children 5 & under. Reserved seating is $32.00 for all ages.
For more information, or to order advance tickets to CARQUEST Extreme Wednesday, please call the Stafford Motor Speedway Track Office at 860-684-2783, or log on to www.staffordspeedway.com.
And don¹t miss all the action-packed excitement at Cayuga2000 Speedway on Saturday, July 16th when the fastest short track methanol breathing big blocks hit the five-eighth¹s mile oval in Canada. The supermodifieds have a long, storied history at Cayuga, which dates back to 1976 when the first race was held. During the years some events were held wingless, but most were with the huge wings attached. Over the years names famous names have graced Cayuga¹s oval (number of wins). Bentley Warren (2), Gary Allbritian, Jimmy Winks, Warren Coniam, Eddie Bellinger, Kempton Dates, Steve Gioia (2),Doug Heveron and in the more recent era, Scott Martel, Mike Ordway (3), Dave McKnight (2), Joey Payne (3), Russ Wood (2), Joe Gosek (3) and Chris Perley was the last winner in 2003.
The 2005 50-lap ISMA feature will be held under the lights with Pit Gate opening at 2:30 PM; Spectator Gate opening at 4:00 PM and racing will begin at 7:30 PM. Added to the program is a 100 lap CASCAR Sportsman event, Outlaw Thunder cars and a demonstration of the CSSM the Canadian small block super division that became reality just this season. . Adult admission is $25 Can. You can come out and camp for the whole weekend if you¹d like and enjoy some of the other sites around this famed oval.
For information and directions, www.cayuga2000speedway.com or call 905-768-1177
Oswego, NY After a couple weeks¹ hiatus, the ISMA Lucas Oil-Helping Hands of America Super Series heads for a Wednesday, July 13 show at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut and three days later they will fill the pits at Cayuga Speedway in Ontario, Canada on July 16. Wednesday¹s show at Stafford is called Xtreme Wednesday and what a show that will be. At Cayuga, the winged supers return after a year¹s absence at that five-eighth¹s mile oval. A great field of cars is expected at each show.
Xtreme Wednesday at Stafford finds Chris Perley the defending champion after winning last year¹s exciting 80 lapper. Mike Ordway, Bentley Warren, Scotty Martel and Rick Wentworth trailed him to the checkers. Joining ISMA again this year will be the NEMA midgets and Pro-4 Modifieds. In addition Stafford has some special treats up their sleeve with some stars from NASCAR, USAC and the IRL added to the night.
Rising star Erin Crocker has also entered the Seymour Enterprises midget in Stafford Motor Speedway's CARQUEST Extreme Wednesday. This will be Crocker's first New England appearance since signing on with NASCAR Nextel Cup's Evernham Motorsports operation.
In addition to Crocker, several USAC midget and Sprint car regulars are expected to join the field of NEMA midgets. Bobby Santos and Mike Lewis will have their regular USAC mounts, from the Wirtgen Racing stable, outfitted with wings to see how they measure up against area stalwarts that include ISMA star Joey Payne and defending NEMA champ Ben Seitz.
Buddy Rice, the 2004 Indy 500 champion and NEXTEL Cup Stars Dave Blaney, Ken Schrader and Car Edwards round out the program with an autograph session as well as the CARQUEST USAC all Star Clash which will see Blaney, Edwards and Schrader compete in USAC Silver Crown Cars for a winner-take-all 15 lap main event.
Advance tickets are available for CARQUEST Extreme Wednesday at $28.00 for adult general admission, $5.00 for children 6-14, and free for children 5 & under. Reserved seating is $32.00 for all ages.
For more information, or to order advance tickets to CARQUEST Extreme Wednesday, please call the Stafford Motor Speedway Track Office at 860-684-2783, or log on to www.staffordspeedway.com.
And don¹t miss all the action-packed excitement at Cayuga2000 Speedway on Saturday, July 16th when the fastest short track methanol breathing big blocks hit the five-eighth¹s mile oval in Canada. The supermodifieds have a long, storied history at Cayuga, which dates back to 1976 when the first race was held. During the years some events were held wingless, but most were with the huge wings attached. Over the years names famous names have graced Cayuga¹s oval (number of wins). Bentley Warren (2), Gary Allbritian, Jimmy Winks, Warren Coniam, Eddie Bellinger, Kempton Dates, Steve Gioia (2),Doug Heveron and in the more recent era, Scott Martel, Mike Ordway (3), Dave McKnight (2), Joey Payne (3), Russ Wood (2), Joe Gosek (3) and Chris Perley was the last winner in 2003.
The 2005 50-lap ISMA feature will be held under the lights with Pit Gate opening at 2:30 PM; Spectator Gate opening at 4:00 PM and racing will begin at 7:30 PM. Added to the program is a 100 lap CASCAR Sportsman event, Outlaw Thunder cars and a demonstration of the CSSM the Canadian small block super division that became reality just this season. . Adult admission is $25 Can. You can come out and camp for the whole weekend if you¹d like and enjoy some of the other sites around this famed oval.
For information and directions, www.cayuga2000speedway.com or call 905-768-1177
UP NEXT: Ohsweken Speedway and Brighton Speedway
After a two week break the Southern Ontario Sprints are back in action this weekend. It is another doubleheader weekend as the stars and cars of the SOS return to the Ohsweken Speedway on Friday night. So far Glenn Styres is undefeated at his home track. On Saturday night the Brighton Speedway kicks off the second half of the SOS 10th Anniversary Season.
SOS TOP 10 (after Race 7 of 16)
1. Adam West 1116
2. Jim Porter 1005
3. Dick Mahoney 993
4. Glenn Styres 954
5. Mark Schulz 925
6. Craig Downie 909
7. Bob Crawford 881
8. Warren Mahoney 846
9. John Watson 822
10. Jamie Collard 759
For more information visit www.southernontariosprints.com
See you at the track!
SOS Online
SOS TOP 10 (after Race 7 of 16)
1. Adam West 1116
2. Jim Porter 1005
3. Dick Mahoney 993
4. Glenn Styres 954
5. Mark Schulz 925
6. Craig Downie 909
7. Bob Crawford 881
8. Warren Mahoney 846
9. John Watson 822
10. Jamie Collard 759
For more information visit www.southernontariosprints.com
See you at the track!
SOS Online
SOD BOASTS EIGHT DIFFERENT WINNERS IN TEN EVENTS DURING FIRST HALF OF 2005
For Immediate Release – Ken Pelkie, Sprints On Dirt, Holt, Michigan
With the halfway point of the 2005 Season looming, the Engine Pro, Sprints On Dirt series presented by Total Seal is enjoying one of its most competitive seasons in recent memory.
SOD has attempted thirteen events to date in 2005 with rain and cold temperatures claiming the opener at Crystal Motor Speedway April 30th. Rain also claimed the first scheduled appearance at I-96 Speedway on May 13th along with the first “Canadian Wilderness Tour” event at South Buxton, Ontario on May 28th.
During the ten events that have been successfully completed, car counts have averaged 36 including a season high of 69 at Fremont Speedway May 21st for the running of the second annual “SOD/Fremont 305 Challenge”. Eight different drivers have visited victory lane with “A” Main wins including current point leader Tim Norman along with Ohio Veteran, Tim Hunter as the only two to double.
For all the latest news be sure to log on to the official SOD Website at www.sprintsondirt.com.
With the halfway point of the 2005 Season looming, the Engine Pro, Sprints On Dirt series presented by Total Seal is enjoying one of its most competitive seasons in recent memory.
SOD has attempted thirteen events to date in 2005 with rain and cold temperatures claiming the opener at Crystal Motor Speedway April 30th. Rain also claimed the first scheduled appearance at I-96 Speedway on May 13th along with the first “Canadian Wilderness Tour” event at South Buxton, Ontario on May 28th.
During the ten events that have been successfully completed, car counts have averaged 36 including a season high of 69 at Fremont Speedway May 21st for the running of the second annual “SOD/Fremont 305 Challenge”. Eight different drivers have visited victory lane with “A” Main wins including current point leader Tim Norman along with Ohio Veteran, Tim Hunter as the only two to double.
For all the latest news be sure to log on to the official SOD Website at www.sprintsondirt.com.
‘ENGLER MACHINE and GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS to Share “FAST TIME” AWARDS FOR CANADIAN NATIONALS’
For Immediate Release – Ken Pelkie, Event Coordinator, Canadian Sprint Car Nationals
The Inaugural “Eldorado Logistics, CANADIAN Sprint Car Nationals” to be staged at Glenn and Tina Styres’ Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario is pleased to announce the addition of Engler Machine and Tool, along with Grisdale Racing Products as sponsors of the “Fast Time” awards to be presented at the September 17th event.
“We are very pleased to have a recognized business in the performance industry such as Engler Machine and Tool of Princeton, Indiana supporting the CANADIAN Nationals as the sponsor of the overall “Fast Time” Award stated event coordinator in making the announcement. “Engler Machine is a class organization and offers a wealth of experience to benefit their customers.”
When Tim Engler started his company in 1980, the initial focus was in the manufacturing of plastic injection molds. Over the years, Tim diversified, leaning more towards “high performance products”. They now build fuel injection systems, custom made pulling chassis, gears, shafts, specialty CNC products, racing engines and perform custom machining.
A long time tractor pulling champion holding thirteen National titles, Tim no longer pulls him but remains influential to the success of many other pullers. Tim still races winged sprint cars as time allows, using his on-track time for research and development.
Tim can be reached at www.englermachine.com to provide more information on their full line of products and services.
The “Fastest Canadian Qualifier” will also be recognized at the Inaugural Event on September 17th as local racing supplier “Grisdale Racing Products” has stepped up to post the reward.
“It is not often that sprint car racing in Canada is recognized by a local company the caliber of Grisdale’s” exclaimed Ken Pelkie in confirming the arrangement. “Grisdale has been a long time supplier to the pavement racers in Ontario and has recently stepped up their involvement with dirt racing. We are not only pleased but also proud to have Grisdale Racing Products join the Nationals as a sponsor.”
For over thirty years, Grisdale’s has been growing one area of their business into a full line racing supplier including track parts, fuel and tire sales. They occupy approximately 20,000 square feet of modern office, warehouse, manufacturing, counter sales and shipping/receiving areas to serve their customers throughout Canada, the United States and abroad at their Dundas, Ontario facility.
Be sure to look them up at www.grisdale.com for all of your performance needs.
Engler Machine, along with Grisdale Racing Products, joins Quaker State as official sponsors of the “Eldorado Logistics, CANADIAN Sprint Car Nationals”. Look for further announcements in the coming weeks leading up to race day on September 17th as other leading racing suppliers join the contingency sponsorship program.
Pre-entries are still being accepted until September 10th at $50 U.S. ($70 Can) by contacting Event Registrar, Cheryl Pelkie at (519)542-2116.
Race Day Entry fee will be $70 U.S. ($95 Can.) and all Pit Passes must now be purchased on race day at $30 U.S. ($40 Can.).
Be sure to log on to the official website of Ohsweken Speedway at www.ohswekenspeedway.com and click on the “CANADIAN Nationals” icon located on the front page for all the latest information including a complete entry list for Canada’s premier Sprint Car Event.
The Inaugural “Eldorado Logistics, CANADIAN Sprint Car Nationals” to be staged at Glenn and Tina Styres’ Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario is pleased to announce the addition of Engler Machine and Tool, along with Grisdale Racing Products as sponsors of the “Fast Time” awards to be presented at the September 17th event.
“We are very pleased to have a recognized business in the performance industry such as Engler Machine and Tool of Princeton, Indiana supporting the CANADIAN Nationals as the sponsor of the overall “Fast Time” Award stated event coordinator in making the announcement. “Engler Machine is a class organization and offers a wealth of experience to benefit their customers.”
When Tim Engler started his company in 1980, the initial focus was in the manufacturing of plastic injection molds. Over the years, Tim diversified, leaning more towards “high performance products”. They now build fuel injection systems, custom made pulling chassis, gears, shafts, specialty CNC products, racing engines and perform custom machining.
A long time tractor pulling champion holding thirteen National titles, Tim no longer pulls him but remains influential to the success of many other pullers. Tim still races winged sprint cars as time allows, using his on-track time for research and development.
Tim can be reached at www.englermachine.com to provide more information on their full line of products and services.
The “Fastest Canadian Qualifier” will also be recognized at the Inaugural Event on September 17th as local racing supplier “Grisdale Racing Products” has stepped up to post the reward.
“It is not often that sprint car racing in Canada is recognized by a local company the caliber of Grisdale’s” exclaimed Ken Pelkie in confirming the arrangement. “Grisdale has been a long time supplier to the pavement racers in Ontario and has recently stepped up their involvement with dirt racing. We are not only pleased but also proud to have Grisdale Racing Products join the Nationals as a sponsor.”
For over thirty years, Grisdale’s has been growing one area of their business into a full line racing supplier including track parts, fuel and tire sales. They occupy approximately 20,000 square feet of modern office, warehouse, manufacturing, counter sales and shipping/receiving areas to serve their customers throughout Canada, the United States and abroad at their Dundas, Ontario facility.
Be sure to look them up at www.grisdale.com for all of your performance needs.
Engler Machine, along with Grisdale Racing Products, joins Quaker State as official sponsors of the “Eldorado Logistics, CANADIAN Sprint Car Nationals”. Look for further announcements in the coming weeks leading up to race day on September 17th as other leading racing suppliers join the contingency sponsorship program.
Pre-entries are still being accepted until September 10th at $50 U.S. ($70 Can) by contacting Event Registrar, Cheryl Pelkie at (519)542-2116.
Race Day Entry fee will be $70 U.S. ($95 Can.) and all Pit Passes must now be purchased on race day at $30 U.S. ($40 Can.).
Be sure to log on to the official website of Ohsweken Speedway at www.ohswekenspeedway.com and click on the “CANADIAN Nationals” icon located on the front page for all the latest information including a complete entry list for Canada’s premier Sprint Car Event.
‘OHSWEKEN SHOOTOUT ADDS ESS QUALIFIERS’
For Immediate Release – Ken Pelkie, Event Coordinator, Canadian Sprint Car Nationals
The “Ohsweken Shootout” scheduled to run Friday night, September 16th as a prelude to the Inaugural “Canadian Sprint Car Nationals” has completed three of the four scheduled qualifying rounds.
All qualifying events are being held at Ohsweken Speedway and consist of the 1st appearance during the 2005 season for each of the “Nationals” Affiliate Sanctioning Series. The first three finishers in each of the four qualifying events that are regular competitors of the evening’s host sanctioning bodies will gain the right to compete in the “Shootout”. The winner of the “Shootout” will pick up $500 U.S. for covering the 10 lap distance. Entry fee for the Nationals must be received prior to taking the green flag for the “Shootout.”
The Empire Super Sprints completed their event at Ohsweken June 24th and added the names of three “Shootout” qualifiers to represent them in the September 16th event. Dan Kaszubinski made a last lap pass on race long leader Alain Bergeron to take the win while John Karklin Jr. claimed the final ESS “Shootout” qualifying position with his third place finish.
They will join Patriot Sprint Group representatives Kyle Wilson, Chuck Hebing and George Suprick from the May 6th qualifier along with Southern Ontario Sprint qualifiers Glenn Styres, Adam West and John Riegling who transferred from the May 20th event.
With three-quarters of the field now set, we will have to wait until Friday, August 26th for the final three when the Michigan based Sprints On Dirt series invades the fast 3/8 mile clay oval.
Starting positions for the “Shootout” will be determined by draw. Order of the draw will be established between the winners of the four qualifiers prior to the race. In the event that one or more of the qualifiers are unable to attend, a replacement will be made by selecting the next highest finisher from the series qualifying race for that affiliate.
For more information be sure to log on to the official website of Ohsweken Speedway at www.ohswekenspeedway.com and click on the “Canadian Nationals” Icon on the front page.
The “Ohsweken Shootout” scheduled to run Friday night, September 16th as a prelude to the Inaugural “Canadian Sprint Car Nationals” has completed three of the four scheduled qualifying rounds.
All qualifying events are being held at Ohsweken Speedway and consist of the 1st appearance during the 2005 season for each of the “Nationals” Affiliate Sanctioning Series. The first three finishers in each of the four qualifying events that are regular competitors of the evening’s host sanctioning bodies will gain the right to compete in the “Shootout”. The winner of the “Shootout” will pick up $500 U.S. for covering the 10 lap distance. Entry fee for the Nationals must be received prior to taking the green flag for the “Shootout.”
The Empire Super Sprints completed their event at Ohsweken June 24th and added the names of three “Shootout” qualifiers to represent them in the September 16th event. Dan Kaszubinski made a last lap pass on race long leader Alain Bergeron to take the win while John Karklin Jr. claimed the final ESS “Shootout” qualifying position with his third place finish.
They will join Patriot Sprint Group representatives Kyle Wilson, Chuck Hebing and George Suprick from the May 6th qualifier along with Southern Ontario Sprint qualifiers Glenn Styres, Adam West and John Riegling who transferred from the May 20th event.
With three-quarters of the field now set, we will have to wait until Friday, August 26th for the final three when the Michigan based Sprints On Dirt series invades the fast 3/8 mile clay oval.
Starting positions for the “Shootout” will be determined by draw. Order of the draw will be established between the winners of the four qualifiers prior to the race. In the event that one or more of the qualifiers are unable to attend, a replacement will be made by selecting the next highest finisher from the series qualifying race for that affiliate.
For more information be sure to log on to the official website of Ohsweken Speedway at www.ohswekenspeedway.com and click on the “Canadian Nationals” Icon on the front page.
NBIS: NASCAR Veteran Benson on Board for Irving Oil 250
Courtesy Gord Curran, General Manager, NBIS
July 6th, 2005 - Fredericton, NB – Last year’s Irving Oil 250 at New Brunswick International Speedway attracted one of the best fields of pro stock cars ever seen in the region. This year’s field has already broken that standard. Veteran NASCAR driver Johnny Benson has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2005 Irving Oil 250, which will take place on September 4th, 2005. The current Craftsman Truck Series driver and former Nextel/Winston Cup regular announced that he has teamed with Irving Oil and Ultimate Motorsports to make the trek north to Fredericton, NB for the Labour Day event.
The Irving Oil 250 is only five years old, but the region’s top pro stock drivers regard the race as the premier stock car event of the season. Shawn Tucker, winner of the 2004 Irving Oil 250 and defending CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour Champion, stated that the 2004 race was one of the most competitive fields he has ever raced against. A big purse, a great field of drivers, and a huge crowd are all appealing elements of the event for drivers. This year it will have the added attraction of racing against a proven driver who has raced with some of the best stock car racers in the world.
“We are thrilled to have a driver of Johnny Benson’s calibre racing in the Irving Oil 250,” said NBIS co-owner Chris Johnston. “The race has grown each year since its inception and this just brings it to a whole new level. It’s hard to believe that we could top the 2004 event, but 2005 is shaping up to be the new standard.”
Johnny Benson currently races for Bill Davis Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series. He has competed in 268 Nextel/Winston Cup races over nine years and was the Rookie of the Year in 1996. He has also competed in 86 Busch Series races over 8 years and was the 1994 Rookie of the Year. He followed his Rookie of the Year Award with a Busch Series Championship in 1995. In 1993, the Michigan native won the American Speed Association (ASA) Championship.
“I’m really looking forward to coming to the Irving Oil 250,” said Benson. “I always enjoy the opportunity to return to short track racing because that’s where my career started. For fans and drivers, nothing beats the kind of tight, competitive racing that comes with short tracks.” Benson added, “The fact that the Irving Oil 250 brings out the Northeast’s best pro stock competitors makes it that much more appealing.”
This is the third year for Irving Oil’s sponsorship of the Irving Oil 250. The New Brunswick based energy processing and supply chain management corporation has played an important role in growing the event in partnership with New Brunswick International Speedway.
“We are very excited to bring Johnny Benson to fans and supporters of the Irving Oil 250 at the New Brunswick International Speedway,” said Andrew Daggett, Irving Oil Merchandising Manager. “Johnny is a seasoned driver who continues to compete and succeed in NASCAR's premier series, and also as a fan favorite away from the track on Speed Channel. We look forward to continuing to find ways to enhance and grow the event.”
Benson’s entry is the second Irving sponsored car to announce its intentions to race in the September event. Travis Benjamin, who is running both the Oxford 250 and the Irving Oil 250 at NBIS in an Irving Car, will also have Coke and Humpty Dumpty on board as co-sponsors at the NBIS race.
IMPRESSIVE MERRITTVILLE WIN FOR WOOD STICKS: CARBURETOR PROBLEM EXPLAINED AT DRIVERS MEETING
By Jim Irvine at 905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario … For Scott Wood, an impressive 358 Modified win July 2nd finally became official July 6th after considerable research by DIRT’s Martin Willis, Chief Tech Inspector Bob Dini, Merrittville Tech Inspector Pat Ciolfi and Merrittville co-owner Pete Bicknell.
After the event Wood was disqualified after his carburetor failed technical inspection and the team appealed the ruling knowing that it was box stock.
“I spent all Sunday comparing Scott’s 4777-7 carburetor to a new one off the shelf,” informs Pete Bicknell, adding, “both carburetors would pass when cold but when hot as in post race running temperature … the gauge was loose in the left front venturi but it would not go through in the right front venturi.”
Bicknell tested a number of other 4777-7 carburetors of other race teams and then Monday in Elbridge, New York at Rolling Wheels Raceway performed the same test on a carburetor that DIRT’s Bob Dini had received from manufacturer – Holley Carburetors.
“All of the carburetors we looked at had different batch numbers meaning they were made at different times and they all came from different sources – engine builders, distributors and from the company directly,” relates Bicknell.
DIRT Motorsports Officials and Bicknell are currently working with Holley on how to resurrect the problem and those steps will be forthcoming.
Bicknell called a 358 Modified Driver’s Meeting and showed the dozen drivers and car owners in attendance the same tests with a propane torch to heat the carburetors up after testing with the gauges on a cold carburetor.
“At Merrittville, on average we probably have more teams using the new aluminum spec heads which requires the new Holley Carburetor,’ relates Bicknell, “and that’s probably why the problem appeared here.”
There was also discussion at the meeting on how officials would inspect the carburetors and that method will also be announced in the very near future.
The win for Wood was his second of the season for the second generation driver.
“I was trying to run that line all night,” relates Wood, “but I couldn’t make the car stick … until after that late caution and now it sticks officially.”
Wood passed early leader Rob Krull very high on the outside exiting turn 4 much to the delight of the crowd.
Bicknell also used the Driver’s Meeting to introduce a new 358 Modified Purse Structure that will take effect Saturday July 23rd for all regular 35 lap events for the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds.
“We’re going to take a little off the win and spread it throughout the middle,” announced Bicknell, “ hopefully if a driver has a bad night it will help out a little bit … the start money will also increase to $150.00.”
“We have had some good fields all year,” adds Bicknell, “but maybe the changes will help fill out the field.”
The new purse structure although only increased by $110.00 to bring it to $7,910.00 – has an increase from sixth on through the balance of the field after the change in first and second.
DIRT SPORTSMEN EYEING MERRITTVILLE COMBINED EVENT AS PART OF AVONDALE FOOD STORES 40 TH CELEBRATIONS:
Thorold, Ontario … Merrittville Speedway’s Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Division will be in the spotlight Saturday July 23rd in a 50 lap Combined East vs. West Sunoco Race Fuels Super DIRT Series Event presented by Avondale Food Stores.
“We’re really excited about this event,” relates (GM) Erica Bicknell, adding, “the potential is there for a huge Sportsmen field and some great racing … it should be a highlight of our season and of Avondale’s 40th Anniversary celebrations.”
The Mid-Summer Six Division Special will also feature the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Dwarf Cars/Mod Lites, Hoosier Stocks and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.
Avondale Food Stores – with 120 locations throughout the Peninsula are pleased to serve the community.
Avondale Food Stores offer a variety of services such as faxing, photocopying, Western Union Money Orders and Money Transfers, ABM Service, a variety of grocery items at low prices, coffee, slush and many other convenience foods.
To find an Avondale Food Store location visit www.avondalefoodstores.com.
In the three West Series Events run to date, Martin Polhill, Jeff McGinnis and Billy Bleich were winners at Ohsweken, Ransomville and Humberstone Speedways respectively and all are familiar with Merrittville tricky d-shaped oval. In East Series action, Greg Doust, and Lance Willix were winners at separate events at Thunder Alley Speedpark while Jeremy Pitcher won at Cayuga County.
One driver – in the Point Standings in both individual series is Russ Hefti and that driver recently visited Merrittville to prepare for the upcoming 50 lap $1,000 US to win event.
Prior to Merrittville’s event – the Combined Series kicks off at Can Am Motorsports Park July 13th.
For several seasons, the overall Combined Series has been split into a Western and an Eastern Region Series with the two combined to determine the overall 2005 Mr. DIRT Season Champion. While Merrittville has held several West Regional Events, this is the first Combined Series Event the Thorold Ontario track will host.
Sportsmen competitors from all DIRT Northeast Member Tracks will make the Saturday event one of the largest fields of the season as individual home track point races will be interrupted.
Merrittville Speedway’s 2004 Point Champion Adam Ferri finished in the runner-up spot in the Combined Sportsmen Series last year to fellow West Series driver and 2004 Champion Scott George. Both drivers have moved up to the L. St. Amand 358 Modified Division. In last year’s Merrittville West Series event, Ferri won in commanding fashion but will not be able to join the field in the Combined event in 2005.
DIRT Sportsmen teams and race fans can look forward to a making the trip to Niagara and a mini-vacation. Merrittville Speedway is located in one of the most famous tourist destinations.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s 2005 Schedule – call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Kerry Micks mounts a late charge to win the ATTO 100 CASCAR Super Series race at the Molson Indy Toronto
TORONTO, ON – CASCAR Super Series veteran Kerry Micks won Sunday afternoon’s ATTO 100 CASCAR Super Series race at the Molson Indy Toronto. The PowerWater Ford Taurus driver started 11th in the field for the 36-lap chase around the 11-turn temporary street circuit and passed race leader Don Thomson with seven laps to go en route to his first-ever Toronto Indy win.Thomson’s Home Hardware Chevy led from lap 8 and stretched out an almost 10-second lead on the rest of the field, before the handling went away quickly on his car. At that point, Micks started to carve into Thomson’s lead and it became just a matter of time before the Mt. Albert, ON racer was in position to challenge Thomson for first place. That opportunity came at the end of the long Lakeshore Blvd. straightaway on lap 29 as Micks out-braked the reigning National champion on the entry to turn 3.
Once in front, Micks was able to build a solid lead of his own as Thomson continued to struggle. On the last lap, Peter Gibbons was able to slide his Canadian Tire Chevy inside of Thomson, as the pair entered turn 1, to grab second-place. Micks took the checkered flag 8.4-seconds ahead of Gibbons, while Thomson hung on for the final podium position.
“This was at the top of my list for races to win and I can’t believe we actually did it,” said Micks after the race. “The PowerWater Ford was strong all day and it didn’t go away. This was just our second race with this car. It’s the product of years of input and experience and we finally had it right on. I was backing off a little bit early but about mid-way, it looked like there wasn’t going to be a caution so I knew I had to get going after Donnie. Obviously, I caught him pretty fast because his car went away pretty severely.”
Polesitter DJ Kennington led the first seven laps of the ATTO 100, but pitted suddenly just prior to the race’s second restart when he felt a tire going down on his Castrol Dodge Charger, thereby handing the lead to Thomson. CASCAR’s seventh appearance at the Molson Indy Toronto was slowed by two full-course caution flags for a total of four laps.
With his third-place finish, Thomson retained the Super Series points lead after five events. Fourth-place Toronto finisher Mark Dilley (PowerWater / Dodge / Mobil 1 / Exide Charger) moved into second-place in the overall standings. Tara MacLeod (Central Merchant Svcs. Ford) is the top rookie in the points, in 16th-place. The Innisfil, ON racer came home 24th in her inaugural Toronto Indy outing.
The next CASCAR Super Series event is the MOPAR 500 Race Weekend at Calgary’s Race City Motorsport Park, on July 22-23.
POINT STANDINGS: After 5 events. Unofficial as of July 10, 2005: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (806 pts.); 2. #9 Mark Dilley (757); 3. #02 Kerry Micks (741); 4. #1 Peter Gibbons (743); 5. #39 Dave Whitlock (693); 6. #23 Jeff Lapcevich (664); 7. #19 Brad Graham (662); 8. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (659); 9. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (658); 10. #17 DJ Kennington (657); 11. #14 John Fitzpatrick (648); 12. #71 Bryan Cathcart (616); 13. #88 Dave Jacombs (614); 13. #25 Jeff Lapcevich (614); 15. #22 Scott Steckly (612); 16. #37 Tara MacLeod ® (582)
® Denotes Rookie of the Year.
CASCAR Super Series
RESULTS: ATTO 100 CASCAR MOLSON INDY TORONTO
Round #5 of 12 // July 10, 2005 // Exhibition Place
Toronto, ON // 36 Laps // 11-turn street circuit
FIN. ST. # DRIVER (HOMETOWN) SPONSOR(S) / MAKE LAPS
1 11 02 Kerry Micks (Mt. Albert, ON) PowerWater / APX / Carstar Ford Taurus 36
2 4 1 Peter Gibbons (Stouffville, ON) Canadian Tire Corporation Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
3 3 4 Don Thomson Jr. (Hamilton, ON) Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
4 12 9 Mark Dilley (Barrie, ON) PowerWater / Dodge / Mobil 1 / Exide Dodge Charger 36
5 9 19 Brad Graham (Glencoe, ON) Challenger Motor Frt. / Logel’s Dodge Charger 36
6 13 0 Howie Scannell Jr. (Milton, ON) Bond Homes / Hobby Hobby Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
7 15 8 Marc Miller (Holland, MI) Carhartt Clothing Dodge 36
8 14 22 Scott Steckly (Milverton, ON) Metro Toronto / ERB Group Pontiac Grand Prix 36
9 17 77 Derek Lynch (Warkworth, ON) R Berms R Us Dodge Charger 36
10 18 10 Doug Brown (Brantford, ON) NAPA / Autopro Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
11 8 20 Mark Swain (Port Perry, ON) GE Nighthawk Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
12 23 75 Kenny Habul (Etobicoke, ON) R Hot Wheels Racing School / Simply Kids Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
13 2 84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON) Cambridge Rigging Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
14 25 71 Bryan Cathcart (Peterborough, ON) Meyers Transport / Peterborough Homes Dodge 36
15 5 23 Jeff Lapcevich (Caistor Centre, ON) Fastline / Tim Hortons / EMCEA Transport Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
16 21 50 Pete Shepherd (Brampton, ON) ATTO Dodge 36
17 20 88 Dave Jacombs (Mt. Hope, ON) Lou’s BBQ Ford Taurus 36
18 6 39 Dave Whitlock (Wyoming, ON) Avenue Motor Works / NMT Dodge Charger 36
19 19 14 John Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON) Latta Cranes Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36
20 22 82 Dave Connelly (Arnprior, ON) Maple Leaf / Vector Chevrolet Monte Carlo 35
21 30 41 John Tsoumaris (Toronto, ON) John’s Unique Auto / Mama’s Pizza Chevrolet Monte Carlo 35
22 1 17 DJ Kennington (St. Thomas, ON) Castrol Canada Dodge Charger 35
23 29 86 Kenny Forth (Lynden, ON) Midnight Sun Ford Taurus 35
24 28 37 Tara MacLeod (Innisfil, ON) R Central Merchant Services Ford Taurus 34
25 24 11 Ron VanEs (Smithville, ON) Star Van Systems / All Cover Chevrolet Monte Carlo 34
26 31 99 Scott Watkins (Milton, ON) Sympatico / MSN Chevrolet Monte Carlo 34
27 32 94 Mark Graham (Odessa, ON) Motel 6 / Coca-Cola / Subway Chevrolet Monte Carlo 34
28 16 93 Joe Goncalves (Concord, ON) G.P.S. Automotive Refinishes Ltd. Chevrolet Monte Carlo 16
29 7 25 Jim Lapcevich (Hamilton, ON) Fastline / EMCEA Transport / Tim Hortons Chevrolet Monte Carlo 15
30 26 3 Stu Robinson Jr. (Holland Landing, ON) Snap-On Tools Dodge 5
31 27 42 Sean Stafford (Springfield, ON) L.E. Walker / Mid-America Freight Systems Chevrolet Monte Carlo 5
32 10 60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Windsor, ON) MOPAR Parts / Exide / Mobil 1 Dodge Charger 1
33 33 63 Lain Vendittelli (St. Catharines, ON) R Nobel Biocare Ford Taurus DNS
34 34 44 Marv Wilder (Toronto, ON) Longbow Freight Systems Ford Taurus DNS
R after the hometown denotes Rookie contender.
POLESITTER: #17 DJ Kennington // TIME OF RACE: 1 hour, 00 minutes and 37 seconds // MARGIN OF VICTORY: 8.407 seconds // CAUTIONS: 2 for a total of 4 laps // LAP LEADERS: #17 DJ Kennington (1-7), #4 Don Thomson Jr. (8-29), #02 Kerry Micks (30-36) // GOODYEAR BELTS & HOSES FASTEST LAP: #23 Jeff Lapcevich (1 minute and 20.534 seconds. Recorded on lap 2)
Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.ca
Prepared by Inside Track Communications.
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